Metadata table.

In this study we investigated the relation between caecal microbiota composition and movement patterns in laying hens. We used hens from Pure line matings of Hendrix Genetics to continuously monitor the movement of individuals in a connected three-tier aviary throughout the laying period, from 18 to 60 weeks of age. The aviary contained three vertical tiers: a top-level, mid-level, and lower-level. In addition, the aviary had a floor littered and an attached wintergarden which was accessible from approximately 21 WOA onwards. Differences in the hens’ use of space were observed including: differences in the number of visits and time spent in the wintergarden and litter areas. Microbiota characterization, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing from 237 samples, revealed an association (P 30 times/day) and those that visited the litter less often (Coriobacteriales, Peptococcales, Oribacterium and Lachnoclostridium taxa. Overall, this study offers new insights on the potential role of the microbiota in hen movement patterns.本研究旨在探究蛋鸡盲肠微生物群（caecal microbiota）组成与活动模式之间的关联。我们选用亨德里克斯遗传（Hendrix Genetics）的纯系交配蛋鸡，在整个产蛋周期（18至60周龄）内，持续监测连通式三层养鸡舍内个体的活动情况。该养鸡舍设有三层竖向笼区：顶层、中层与底层。此外，舍内配备垫料地面，并设有一处附属冬季活动区，约21周龄起即可开放使用。研究观察到蛋鸡的空间利用存在显著差异，具体包括在冬季活动区与垫料区域的到访次数及停留时长差异。通过对237份样本开展16S rRNA基因测序（16S rRNA gene sequencing）以进行微生物群表征，结果显示微生物群组成与活动特征存在显著关联（P<0.001）：冬季活动区到访频次超30次/天的蛋鸡，与垫料区域到访频率较低的蛋鸡，其肠道微生物群分别富集柯氏杆菌目（Coriobacteriales）、消化球菌目（Peptococcales）、栖胆杆菌属（Oribacterium）及毛梭菌属（Lachnoclostridium）类群。综上，本研究为解析微生物群在蛋鸡活动模式中的潜在调控作用提供了全新的科学视角。