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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #369208
Research Project: Reduction of Invasive Salmonella enterica in Poultry through Genomics, Phenomics and Field Investigations of Small Multi-Species Farm Environments

Location: Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit

Title: Gastrointestinal Microbiomes Of Broilers And Layer Hens In Alternative Production Systems.

Author
item RICKE, STEVE - University Of Arkansas
item Rothrock, Michael

Submitted to: Poultry Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/19/2019
Publication Date: 1/24/2020
Citation: Ricke, S.C., Rothrock Jr, M.J. 2020. Gastrointestinal Microbiomes Of Broilers And Layer Hens In Alternative Production Systems. Poultry Science. 99(2):660-669.

Interpretive Summary: Alternative poultry production systems consisting of free-range or pasture flock raised poultry continues to increase in popularity. Based on the perceived benefits of poultry products generated from these alternative poultry production systems, they have commercial appeal to consumers. Several factors impact the health and well being of birds raised and maintained in these types of production systems. Exposure to foodborne pathogens and potential for colonization in the gastrointestinal tract also has to be considered with these types of production systems. The gastrointestinal tract microbial composition and function of birds grown and maintained in alternative poultry operations may differ depending on diets, breed, and age of bird. Dietary variety and foraging behavior are potential influential factors on bird nutrition. The gastrointestinal tract microbiomes of birds raised under alternative poultry production systems are now being characterized with next-generation sequencing to identify individual microbial members and assess the impact of different factors on the diversity of microbial populations. In this review, the gastrointestinal tract microbiota contributions to free-range or pasture-raised broiler and egg layer production systems, subsequent applications, and potential future directions will be described in detail.

Technical Abstract: Alternative poultry production systems consisting of free-range or pasture flock raised poultry continues to increase in popularity. Based on the perceived benefits of poultry products generated from these alternative poultry production systems, they have commercial appeal to consumers. Several factors impact the health and well being of birds raised and maintained in these types of production systems. Exposure to foodborne pathogens and potential for colonization in the gastrointestinal tract also has to be considered with these types of production systems. The gastrointestinal tract microbial composition and function of birds grown and maintained in alternative poultry operations may differ depending on diets, breed, and age of bird. Dietary variety and foraging behavior are potential influential factors on bird nutrition. The gastrointestinal tract microbiomes of birds raised under alternative poultry production systems are now being characterized with next-generation sequencing to identify individual microbial members and assess the impact of different factors on the diversity of microbial populations. In this review, the gastrointestinal tract microbiota contributions to free-range or pasture-raised broiler and egg layer production systems, subsequent applications, and potential future directions will be described in detail.