Evolution and predicted functions of the microbiota of the medium‐slow growing chicken during the first 4 weeks of chick development

Abstract

AbstractChicken gut microbiota–host interactions play essential roles in the productivity and health of chickens. Deciphering the microbial composition and its functions are crucial for understanding the roles of gut microbiota within chickens. Although there are some research studies focusing on different chicken microbiota, none of them have considered medium‐slow growing chicken as a model host. Here, the microbial composition of the faeces of medium‐slow growing chicken, grown in an organic farming system, has been elucidated through 16S rRNA gene amplicon‐based metagenomics. We found a diverse microbiota that does not present major shifts during the first 4 weeks of the animal's life, although the abundance of only 2 OTUs (LactobacillusandBacteroides) increase during this time.Lactobacillusappear to govern the bacterial composition, followed distantly byClostridiales(mainlyFaecalibacterium,Ruminococcusand unidentified genera from the familiesPeptostreptococaceaeandRuminococcaceae) andBacteroidales(BacteroidesandParabacteroides). The roles of Redbro faeces microbiota have been revealed through in silico functional predictions. We found thatLactobacillusmembers may play relevant roles within its host and seem to highly influence the metabolism of fructose and mannose among other relevant functions.