Effects of floor- and net-reared systems on the intestinal growth and microbial diversity in the cecum of ducks

Abstract

Background Rearing systems can affect livestock production directly, but the effects of floor-reared systems (FRSs) and net-reared systems (NRSs) on the intestinal growth states and microbial diversity in the cecum of ducks are largely unclear. Methods The ducklings in this study were randomly divided into FRS and NRS groups, weighed at 4, 8 and 13 weeks, respectively, then the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and cecum were sampled and measured, and the content of cecum were analyzed by 16S RNA. Results The values of relative weight (RW), relative length (RL) and RW/ RL of four intestinal segments in FRS were significantly higher than that in the NRS during week 4, 8 and 13 (p < 0.05). A total of 157 genus were identified from ducks under the two systems,the dominant microorganisms in both groups were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria at phyla level. The distribution of microorganisms in cecum of two groups showed significant separation in three time periods, and the value of Simpson index in FRS was significantly higher than NRS at 13 weeks (p < 0.05).Five differential microorganisms and 25 differential metabolic pathways were found in the cecum at week 4, 7 differential microorganisms and 25 differential metabolic pathways were found in the cecum at week 8, and 4 differential microorganisms and 2 differential metabolic pathways were found in the cecum at week 13. Conclusions There were differences in intestinal growth and microorganism between FRS and NRS ducks.