Transcriptome analysis identified gene expression difference between native Thai chicken raised in conventional and free-range conditions

This project aimed to identify differentially expressed genes between Thai native chicken raised in a conventional housing system (floor pen/control) and those raised in a happy system with access to outdoor environment (free-range) by using RNA-seq to generate transcriptome profiles. Our goal was to develop a set of top DEGs that can be used as the happy chicken signature or molecular readouts for optimizing future production systems and breeding programs. The results of this study will pave the way for future studies of poultry epigenetic response to the environment and elevate the poultry industry towards the goal of producing tastier and healthier agricultural product from native animal with high economic potential.