South Australian Research and Development Institute, Plant and Soil Health, Urrbrae 5064, South Australia, Australia.
Poult Sci. 2009 Dec;88(12):2474-81. doi: 10.3382/ps.2008-00381.
A chicken growth study was conducted to determine if litter type influenced gut microbiota and performance in broilers. Seven bedding materials were investigated and included soft and hardwood sawdust, softwood shavings, shredded paper, chopped straw, rice hulls, and reused softwood shavings. Microbial profiling was done to investigate changes in cecal bacterial communities associated with litter material and age. Cecal microbiota were investigated at 14 and 28 d of age (n = 12 birds/litter material). At both ages, the cecal microbiota of chickens raised on reused litter was significantly (P < 0.05) different from that of chickens raised on any of the other litter materials, except softwood shavings at d 28. Cecal microbiota was also significantly different between birds raised on shredded paper and rice hulls at both ages. Age had a significant influence on cecal microbiota composition regardless of litter material. Similarity in cecal microbial communities among birds raised on the same litter treatment was greater at 28 d of age (29 to 40%) than at 14 d of age (25 to 32%). Bird performance on the different litter materials was measured by feed conversion ratio, live weight, and feed intake. Significant (P < 0.05) differences were detected in live weight at 14 d of age and feed intake at 14 and 28 d of age among birds (n = 160/treatment) raised on some of the different litter materials. However, no significant (P > 0.05) differences were observed in feed conversion ratio among birds raised on any of the 7 different litter materials at either 14 or 28 d of age. The type of litter material can influence colonization and development of cecal microbiota in chickens. Litter-induced changes in the gut microbiota may be partially responsible for some of the significant differences observed in early rates of growth; therefore, litter choice may have an important role in poultry gut health particularly in the absence of in-feed antibiotics.
一项关于鸡只生长的研究旨在确定垫料类型是否会影响肉鸡的肠道微生物群和生产性能。研究调查了 7 种垫料材料，包括软木和硬木木屑、软木刨花、碎纸、切碎的稻草、稻壳和再利用的软木刨花。微生物分析用于研究与垫料和年龄相关的盲肠细菌群落的变化。在 14 和 28 日龄（n = 12 只鸡/垫料材料）时对盲肠微生物群进行了研究。在这两个年龄阶段，在重复使用的垫料中饲养的鸡的盲肠微生物群与在任何其他垫料材料中饲养的鸡的盲肠微生物群有显著差异（P < 0.05），但在 28 日龄时除外，与软木刨花相比。在这两个年龄阶段，在碎纸和稻壳上饲养的鸡的盲肠微生物群也存在显著差异。无论垫料材料如何，年龄对盲肠微生物群组成都有显著影响。在同一垫料处理中饲养的鸡的盲肠微生物群落之间的相似性在 28 日龄时（29%至 40%）高于 14 日龄时（25%至 32%）。通过饲料转化率、活重和采食量来衡量鸡在不同垫料材料上的性能。在一些不同垫料材料上饲养的鸡的 14 日龄活重和 14 和 28 日龄采食量有显著差异（P < 0.05，n = 160/处理）。然而，在任何一种 7 种不同垫料材料上饲养的鸡的饲料转化率在 14 或 28 日龄时均无显著差异（P > 0.05）。垫料材料的类型可以影响鸡盲肠微生物群的定植和发育。肠道微生物群的垫料诱导变化可能部分解释了早期生长速度观察到的一些显著差异；因此，垫料选择可能对家禽肠道健康具有重要作用，特别是在没有饲料抗生素的情况下。
