Microbiome applications for laying hen performance and egg production

Management of laying hens has undergone considerable changes in the commercial egg industry. Shifting commercial production from cagebased systems to cage-free has impacted the housing environment and created issues not previously encountered. Sources of microorganisms that become established in the early stages of layer chick development may originate from the hen and depend on the microbial ecology of the reproductive tract. Development of the layer hen GIT microbiota appears to occur in stages as the bird matures. Several factors can impact the development of the layer hen GIT, including pathogens, environment, and feed additives such as antibiotics. In this review, the current status of the laying hen GIT microbial consortia and factors that impact the development and function of these respective microbial populations will be discussed, as well as future research directions.

Automated summary

Management of laying hens has changed significantly in the commercial egg industry, with a shift towards cage-free systems. The development of the layer hen gut microbiota is influenced by various factors, and studying these factors is of importance for future advancements.