Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 19, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Intestinal Bacteria Cultivation for Poultry
Published on: May 10, 2024
Development of the duodenal, ileal, jejunal and caecal microbiota in chickens
Laura Glendinning1, Kellie A Watson2, Mick Watson2
1Genetics and Genomics, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK. laura.glendinning@roslin.ed.ac.uk.
Background:
The chicken intestinal microbiota plays a large role in chicken health and productivity and a greater understanding of its development may lead to interventions to improve chicken nutrition, disease resistance and welfare.
Results:
In this study we examine the duodenal, jejunal, ileal and caecal microbiota of chickens from day of hatch to 5 weeks of age (day 1, 3, 7, 14 and week 5). DNA was extracted from intestinal content samples and the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced. We identified significant differences in microbial community composition, diversity and richness between samples taken from different locations within the chicken intestinal tract. We also characterised the development of the microbiota at each intestinal site over time.
Conclusions:
Our study builds upon existing literature to further characterise the development of the chicken intestinal microbiota.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
Mechanical and Chemical Digestion in the Small Intestine
Mechanical digestion in the small intestine involves movements such as segmentations and migrating motility complexes (MMCs), primarily controlled by the myenteric plexus. Segmentations are localized contractions occurring in areas of the intestine distended by chyme—a mixture of partially digested food. These contractions mix chyme with digestive juices, facilitating...
Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells

