Cecal Microbiome of Young Turkeys with Undifferentiated Gastrointestinal Distress

Young turkeys (brooders) frequently exhibit undifferentiated gastrointestinal distress (irritable-crabby syndrome, ICS) with irritability and diarrhea, and are typically treated with penicillin and gentamicin (P/G). The impacts of ICS and treatment on the turkey microbiome remain poorly understood. We analyzed the cecal microbiome from four brooder flocks (weeks 1-5) from three farms in North Carolina, including one antibiotic-free (ABF) and three produced conventionally. Two of the three conventional flocks developed ICS and were P/G-treated. Cecal microbiomes of 10 birds/flock were analyzed weekly. Of the 54 bacterial families identified, most prevalent were Lactobacillaceae (21.55%), Ruminococcaceae (17.27%), Lachnospiraceae (13.03%), and Campylobacteraceae (9.731%). The latter became notable in weeks 3-5, correlating with Campylobacter culturability and Veillonellaceae. Significant changes (p<0.05) occurred after antibiotic treatment, with increases in Lactobacillaceae and Helicobacteraceae, decreases in Bacteroidaceae and decreased overall diversity. Cecal community composition was largely similar between the ABF flock and the conventional flock on the same farm but exhibited higher prevalence of Porphyromonadaceae and Rikenellaceae and lower prevalence of Helicobacteraceae in weeks 4-5. The findings suggest potential impacts of ICS and P/G treatment on cecal community composition and identify Campylobacteraceae as a notable component of the cecal microbiome as young turkeys approach the end of the brooder phase.