Comparative impact of conventional and alternative gut health management programs on growth performance and breast meat quality in broiler chickens raised in commercial and research settings

Intestinal microbiome profiles in broiler chickens raised without antibiotics exhibit altered microbiome dynamics relative to conventionally raised chickens

“…These strategies usually involve various feed and water supplements [reviewed by 19 ]. Indeed, the effects of different rearing management programs, including CONV and RWA, on growth performance and meat quality in broiler chickens have been investigated in both research and commercial settings [ 20 ]. Antibiotic effects on the gut microbiome composition and diversity have also been investigated in several research trials; however, whether the results of these studies reflect the changes in microbiome under field conditions remains to be investigated [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Similarly, a higher evenness and diversity were observed in the cecal microbiome of chickens treated with a cocktail of antibiotics compared to the control group that did not receive any antibiotics or feed additives [ 22 ]. Diverse factors, such as gut health management practices and chicken age and breed, can influence the microbiota diversity and population [ 20 , 21 , 23 ]. The notable increase in the cecal microbiome richness and diversity in the conventionally grown chickens on days 10 and 24 could be due to the elimination of the growth of microorganisms in a broad sense by antibiotics might have resulted in an increased abundance of nutrients and ecological niches for the growth of endogenous and exogenous microbes [ 24 ].…”

Challenges in the profitability of small-scale broiler farming by avoiding injudicious use of drugs and additives

“…When compared to conventional rearing, birds kept complete drug-free management lost just 50 g (2.06 %) of body weight [ 33 ]. Furthermore, published studies revealed that it is possible to economically rear broiler chickens utilizing a drug-free approach; however, this appears to be associated with lower performance [ 34 , 35 ]. In the present study, when the birds were reared almost drug-free, the total production performance of commercial broiler chickens was likewise marginally reduced ( Fig.…”