The effect of different corn lines on the layer chicken cecal microbiome

Corn can be bred to contain differing levels of carotenoids. Our group bred a line of orange corn that contains higher quantities of carotenoids, antioxidant pigments believed to play a role in skin and feather health. We hypothesized that diets containing orange corn, when compared to diets containing yellow or white corn, would reduce the oxidation state in the intestine and alter the microbial community composition. Additionally in this study, the effect of the corn on the egg quality was assessed.