The potential role of palygorskite and probiotics complex on the laying performance and faecal microbial community in Xuefeng black-bone chicken

Abstract This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of palygorskite and probiotics complex (Pal–Pro) supplementation on laying performance, the microflora structure and biodiversity of Xuefeng black-bone chicken. A total of 432 Xuefeng black-bone chickens were randomly assigned into 4 groups with 6 replicates of 18 hens. The control group (group A) was fed the basal diet, and the experimental groups (groups B, C and D) were fed basal diet supplemented with 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg Pal–Pro for 8 weeks. The results were as follows: (1) The Pal–Pro supplementation linearly increased (p < .05) laying rate, and linearly decreased the feed conversion ratio (p < .05). (2) At the phylum level, compared with the group A, the abundance of Bacteroidetes was increased (p < .05) and the abundance of Proteobacteria was decreased (p < .05) in group D, and the abundance of Fusobacteria was increased in group C (p < .05). (3) At the genus level, the abundance of Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae_unclassified and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 of group D were higher (p < .05) than those in group A, the abundance of CHKCI001 of group B was higher than that in group A, and compared with group A, the abundance of Fusobacterium was increased (p < .05) and the abundance of Pseudomonas was decreased in groups C and D (p < .05). (4）The Spearman correlation analysis showed that Aeriscardovia was negatively correlated with laying rate (p < .01), and Enterococcus and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 were positively correlated with egg weight (p < .05). In conclusion, dietary Pal–Pro may improve laying performance by adjusting the flora structure. The recommended dosage is 750 mg/kg. HIGHLIGHTS Dietary supplementation of Pal–Pro improved the laying performance of Xuefeng black-bone chicken. Dietary supplementation of Pal–Pro could alter the faecal microbial community of Xuefeng black-bone chicken. Aeriscardovia was negatively correlated with laying rate, Enterococcus and Ruminococcaceae_UCG∼014 were positively correlated with egg weight.