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

Abstract

In China, the three-dimensional rearing system (cage) for broilers has gradually become a trend. In production, it was found that the incidence of disease in broiler chickens raised in cage systems was significantly higher than that of ground litter. Given that broilers raised on ground litter systems may be exposed to more environmental microbes, it is important to understand whether the rearing environment affects the function and status of the host immune system by altering the gut microbiota. In this study, rearing environment-derived gut microbes associated with stronger immune function in ground litter broilers were provided, which will provide new insights into strategies to target gut microbes to promote immune function and status in broilers raised in cages.