Metabarcoding analysis of the Microbiome of gastrointestinal tract of chicks treated with phages

The phages impact on cecal microbiota of chicks was evaluated by comparing the gut microbiota of 4 different groups of 50 chicks for 28 days. The control group ('Control') was untreated by phages and unchallenged with Salmonella. The second group ('Phages') was unchallenged and treated with phages during the first 6 days of the chicks' life. The third group ('SE') was not treated with phages and challenged with Salmonella. In the fourth group ('SE + Phages'), phages were administrated during the first 6 days of the chicks' life and they were then challenged with Salmonella. Analysis were conducted at five timepoints; 6, 11, 14, 21, and 28 days of age.