Comparison and Correlation Analysis of Immune Function and Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens Raised in Double-Layer Cages and Litter Floor Pens.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to compare the immune function and gut microbiota between double-layer caged and litter floor pen-raised broiler chickens. Eighty meaty male chicks were selected and divided into cage group and litter floor group, with 20 replicates in each group. The broilers were raised in the same chicken house. The rearing density of the two rearing systems was same. The broilers were sampled on days 13 and 34. The results showed that compared with the cage group, the litter floor broilers had worse growth performance (23.24% increase in feed conversion ratio) in the early stage; better slaughter performance at day 42; stronger peripheral immune function (including higher lysozyme activity, T-cell ratio, Th-cell ratio, Tc-cell ratio, CD4/CD8, IL-10, B-cell ratio, IgG and IgA levels; an

SUBMITTER: Song B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9431680 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature