An observational field study of the cloacal microbiota in adult laying hens with and without access to an outdoor range.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Laying hens with access to outdoor ranges are exposed to additional environmental factors and microorganisms, including potential pathogens. Differences in composition of the cloacal microbial community between indoor- and outdoor-housed layers may serve as an indicator for exposure to the outdoor environment, including its pathogens, and may yield insights into factors affecting the chickens' microbiota community dynamics. However, little is known about the influence of outdoor housing on microbiota community composition in commercial layer flocks. We performed a cross-sectional field study to evaluate differences in the cloacal microbiota of indoor- vs outdoor-layers across farms. Eight layer flocks (four indoor, four outdoor) from five commercial poultry farms were sa

SUBMITTER: Schreuder J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7807755 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature