Protective role of dryland rearing on netting floors against mortality through gut microbiota-associated immune performance in Shaoxing ducks

Dryland rearing on netting floors (DRNF) is a new rearing method for ducks, which could prevent duck excreta from polluting water bodies. However, the influence of DRNF on duck production and immune performance remains poorly understood. In this study, 2,280 Shaoxing ducks, an egg-type breed of Sheldrake in China, were chosen and randomly divided into 2 groups to investigate the effects of DRNF on duck farming. During the experimental laying rates, feed-egg ratios, and mortality rates of the 2 groups were calculated and recorded. Serum immune parameters, including thymus index, spleen index, levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), were determined. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to analyze the variability of gut microbiota in the duck ileum and cecum. The results showed that DRNF significantly reduced the mortality rate of the ducks and increased the thymus index (P < 0.05), compared to the control. No other significant differences were detected in productional and immune indices (P > 0.05). The 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed differentially enriched microbial compositions in the ileum and cecum, which might be responsible for the improved immune function of Shaoxing ducks. For example, an increase in Lactobacillaceae (family), Anaerotruncus (genus), Saccharibacteria (phylum), Flavobacteriaceae (family), and a reduction in Anaerobiospirillum (genus), Lachnospiraceae (family), Blautia (genus) was revealed in the DRNF ducks. In conclusion, DRNF could alter gut microflora, enhance duck immune system, and reduce mortality in Shaoxing ducks.