Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota of Thai indigenous chicken fed house crickets

The gut microbiota is pivotal in chicken's overall health, influencing vital processes, including digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Dietary compounds have a profound impact on the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota. Recently, house crickets (Acheta domesticus) have emerged as an alternative protein source for animal feed, rich in proteins and beneficial fatty acids, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional poultry diets. Investigating the effects of a house cricket-based diet on chicken microbiota is crucial for understanding its potential benefits in poultry farming. This study conducted a comparative analysis of the gut microbiota in the caecum and ileum of Thai indigenous chicken breeds (Betong Chicken, white feather with black bone chicken, and black feather with black bone chicken), fed with or without house crickets. Amplicon sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technology of 16S rDNA was employed.