Gut microbiota profiling of breeder hens supplemented with chili and amla under evaporative cooling housing
This study investigates the effects of phytogenic supplementation using a blend of chili (Capsicum annuum) and amla (Phyllanthus emblica) on the gut microbiota of breeder hens. A total of 12 jejunal samples were collected from 34-week-old female SUT breeder hens reared under an evaporative cooling housing system. The two dietary groups include a control group receiving a basal diet (ECON) and a treatment group supplemented with 0.02% chili and 0.02% amla (EMIX).The V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform (2x300 bp, paired-end). Sequence reads were processed using the DADA2 pipeline to generate ASVs, followed by taxonomic assignment using the SILVA 138.1 database. Downstream microbial diversity and predictive functional analysis were performed using Phyloseq, PICRUSt2, LEfSe, and ALDEx2. This data supports findings on how phytogenic feed additives influence intestinal microbial composition and host health in poultry under antibiotic-free conditions.