16S RNA-seq of cecal microbiota
We added 0, 120 or 240 mg/kg of beta-carotene to breeder hen diets for six weeks, and then the eggs were collected and incubated. Selected post-hatch male chicks were fed the same chick basal diet for 6 weeks. Final collection of chick cecum contents for 16S RNA sequencing to assess the effect of maternal beta-carotene supplementation on the gut microbiota of post-hatch chicks.