Qada Benameur

Algeria

Monitoring temporal changes in fecal microbial diversity in broiler chickens raised under commercial conditions

Benameur Qada1, Boutaiba Benklaouz Meki2, Smaranda Crăciun3, George Cosmin Nadăș3, Adriana Györke4

1. Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University Abdelhamid Ibn Badis of Mostaganem, 27000 Mostaganem, Algeria.
2. Department of Agronomy, Institute of Natural and Life Sciences, University Center Nour El Bachir- El Bayadh, El Bayadh 32000, Algeria.
3. Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
4. Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Abstract

Background

The development of the chicken gut microbiota is a dynamic process that affects host physiology, health, and growth performance. Monitoring microbial changes across different growth stages provides valuable insight into gut ecosystem dynamics. This study aimed to characterize temporal changes in the fecal microbial diversity of broiler chickens under commercial conditions throughout the entire rearing period.

Methods

A total of 192 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks of both sexes were monitored throughout the production cycle. Fecal samples were collected on Days 7, 14, 21, 28, 37, and 42. Microorganisms were isolated using different culture media and identified through MALDI-TOF MS. Culturable species identified at each time point were recorded to assess temporal shifts in microbial diversity.

Results

Across the six sampling points, the culturable microbiota comprised a combination of Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, and Bacillus species together with several yeasts. Samples collected on Days 7 and 14 showed a fecal microbiota dominated by Enterococcus species and a limited number of yeasts, reflecting a relatively simple early community. By Day 21, the microbial community had diversified, with the appearance of additional lactic acid bacteria and yeast taxa. This expansion continued at Day 28, accompanied by other taxa, including Staphylococcus species alongside previously detected taxa. At Day 37, the fecal microbiota exhibited further diversification, with lactobacilli and facultative bacteria contributing to a more complex microbial profile. By Day 42, the microbial community had reached a mature state, characterized by a balanced and diverse composition of Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and yeast species.

Conclusions

These findings report the diversity of culturable fecal microorganisms in broiler chickens raised under commercial conditions and documents their temporal changes throughout the rearing period.