Influence of pasture rearing on the cecal bacterial microbiota in broiler chickens

Differences in quantity of cecal microbiota in broiler chickens from conventional and pasture rearing were investigated by cultivation.Rearing on pasture brings stress reduction and increases comfort and bird welfare, which leads to products with better taste and flavour compared to conventionally produced broiler chickens. A difference in cecal settlement of general anaerobes, coliforms, lactic acid bacteria, and campylobacters and salmonellas in the two different rearing systems was addressed. Whereas numbers of total anaerobes and lactic acid bacteria were not affected, those of coliforms were significantly reduced in pasture rearing. Campylobacters were found only in pasture-reared chickens (in 28% of animals). Salmonellas were not detected in any of the systems.