Eggshell and Feed Microbiota Do Not Represent Major Sources of Gut Anaerobes for Chickens in Commercial Production

Abstract

In this study, we addressed the origin of chicken gut microbiota in commercial production by a comparison of eggshell and feed microbiota with caecal microbiota of 7-day-old chickens, using microbiota analysis by 16S rRNA sequencing. In addition, we tested at which timepoint during prenatal or neonatal development it is possible to successfully administer probiotics. We found that eggshell microbiota was a combination of environmental and adult hen gut microbiota but was completely different from caecal microbiota of 7-day-old chicks. Similarly, we observed that the composition of feed microbiota was different from caecal microbiota. Neither eggshell nor feed acted as an important source of gut microbiota for the chickens in commercial production. Following the experimental administration of potential probiotics, we found that chickens can be colonised only when already hatched and active. Spraying of eggs with gut anaerobes during egg incubation or hatching itself did not result in effective chicken colonisation. Such conclusions should be considered when selecting and administering probiotics to chickens in hatcheries. Eggshells, feed or drinking water do not act as major sources of gut microbiota. Newly hatched chickens must be colonised from additional sources, such as air dust with spores of Clostridiales. The natural colonisation starts only when chickens are already hatched, as spraying of eggs or even chickens at the very beginning of the hatching process did not result in efficient colonisation.

The active core microbiota of two high-yielding laying hen breeds fed with different levels of calcium and phosphorus

“…A beneficial effect on egg size and weight induced by Lactobacillus cultures as probiotics was reported (Volf et al, 2021); however, in this study, LSL layers colonized with higher abundances of Lactobacillus had lighter egg weights (Sommerfeld et al, 2020). Previous studies have reported M. funiformis as a hydrogen consumer in laying hen's caecal microbiome (Zheng et al, 2020;Volf et al, 2021). It is a characteristic bacterium in adult hens (Volf et al, 2021) and accounted for the core microbiota in a recent broiler study (Clavijo et al, 2022).…”

“…The genus Lactobacillus involves host-adapted lactic acid bacteria that colonize the digestive tract of humans and animals (Zheng et al, 2020) and is part of the core microbiome in the ileum and caeca of laying hens (Videnska et al, 2014;Ngunjiri et al, 2019). A beneficial effect on egg size and weight induced by Lactobacillus cultures as probiotics was reported (Volf et al, 2021); however, in this study, LSL layers colonized with higher abundances of Lactobacillus had lighter egg weights (Sommerfeld et al, 2020). Previous studies have reported M. funiformis as a hydrogen consumer in laying hen's caecal microbiome (Zheng et al, 2020;Volf et al, 2021).…”

“…Previous studies have reported M. funiformis as a hydrogen consumer in laying hen's caecal microbiome (Zheng et al, 2020;Volf et al, 2021). It is a characteristic bacterium in adult hens (Volf et al, 2021) and accounted for the core microbiota in a recent broiler study (Clavijo et al, 2022). In our study, M. funiformis was found in higher abundance in crop, ileum, duodenum and gizzard samples and almost disappeared in the caeca, which is partially in contrast to the findings of Gan et al (2020) as they observed the genus Megamonas in higher abundances in caeca.…”

Review on skeletal disorders caused byStaphylococcusspp. in poultry

“…Recent data suggest that eggshell microbiota, feed or drinking water do not play a major role in the intestinal colonisation of newly hatched chicks (Volf et al. 2021 ).…”

Feed Safety and the Development of Poultry Intestinal Microbiota

“…Thofner et al [ 9 ] concluded that pre-hatch application by the spray of probiotics on the eggshell could be used for the colonisation of the chicken gut. In contrast, others [ 19 ] concluded that the effects of spraying cecal microbiota on the eggshells are primarily overwhelmed by the natural microbiota acquisition processes or that the eggshell microbiota is not an efficient way to colonise poultry intestine [ 20 ]. Indeed, not all probiotics provided early in life can colonise the gut, but their administration has a prolonged effect on the microbial community by stimulating the other beneficial genera [ 8 ].…”