Fecal microbiota transplantation improves Sansui duck growth performance by balancing the cecum microbiome

Improving growth performance is vital in poultry production. Although several studies have established associations between gut microbiota and growth, the direct impacts remain unclear. A total of 120 1-day-old Sansui ducks were randomly assigned to FMT and control (CON) groups. From the 1st day, ducks in the FMT group were orally administrated with 0.5 mL fecal microbiota suspension for three consecutive days, while sterile PBS solution was used as a substitute in the CON group. The results revealed that FMT substantially improved average daily gain (ADG) and body weight (BW) (P < 0.001), with a tendency for a better feed conversion rate (FCR). LEfSe analysis determined that markedly increased the abundance of the genera Lactobacillus (P < 0.001), Bifidobacterium (P = 0.006), Megamonas (P = 0.008), and Subdoligranulum (P = 0.005) in FMT group. Similarly, the phyla Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was higher in the FMT group. Additionally, the ACE, Chao, Shannon, and Simpson indexes were also significantly higher in the FMT group (P < 0.001). To sum up, FMT enhanced growth performance, which could be associated with reducing proinflammatory pathogen colonization in the duck cecum. This modulating effect likely results from increased microbial diversity and the enrichment of beneficial bacteria.