Surreal illustration of a healthy chicken digestive system.

Gut Check: Unlocking Chicken Health Through Intestinal Fortitude

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how the intestinal barrier and mucosal immunity vary in different chicken breeds and why it matters for their overall health."

The intestinal barrier in chickens, much like in humans, is a critical defense system. It's a complex arrangement of physical and chemical components designed to prevent harmful substances from invading the body while selectively absorbing nutrients. Think of it as the gatekeeper of chicken health, determining what gets in and what stays out.

Understanding the intricacies of this barrier is key to optimizing chicken health and productivity. This is especially crucial for native breeds, which often face different environmental and dietary challenges compared to commercial broilers. By studying the intestinal morphology, antimicrobial peptides, and tight junction (TJ) distribution, we can gain valuable insights into how to bolster their natural defenses.

This article dives into a fascinating study comparing the intestinal health of commercial broilers, Thai Betong chickens, and native Thai Praduhangdum chickens. We'll explore the variations in their gut structure, immune function, and the implications for their overall well-being, offering a practical understanding of how to promote gut health in chickens.

What Makes a Healthy Chicken Gut? Key Factors Unveiled

Surreal illustration of a healthy chicken digestive system.

Researchers examined several key factors to assess the intestinal health of these chicken breeds. This included analyzing the physical structure of the small intestine (villus height, crypt depth), the presence of mucin and goblet cells (which form a protective mucous layer), and the distribution of tight junction proteins (crucial for maintaining barrier integrity). They also investigated the presence of antimicrobial peptides, which play a vital role in fighting off harmful microbes.

The study meticulously collected intestinal samples from 40 chickens of each breed, allowing for a comprehensive comparison. The results highlighted some significant differences:

Villus Height: The duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, consistently showed the highest villus height across all breeds, indicating its importance in nutrient absorption.
Mucin and Goblet Cells: Interestingly, the Thai Betong and Praduhangdum chickens had lower numbers of mucin and goblet cells compared to broilers, suggesting a potentially less robust protective mucous layer.
Intestinal Surface Mucins: In broilers, the amount of mucin on the intestinal surface was correlated with the number of β-defensin-positive Paneth cells, specialized immune cells that secrete antimicrobial peptides.
Tight Junction Proteins: Claudin-1 protein was found in the cytoplasm of the epithelium in all breeds, with the highest intensity in the ileum. Occludin, another crucial TJ protein, was more abundant in broilers across all intestinal segments compared to the native Thai chickens.

Overall, the study indicated that broilers exhibited a greater abundance of tight junction proteins and mucosal immunity compared to the native Thai breeds. These findings suggest that the intestinal barrier function and gut health may be enhanced in broilers through selective breeding and optimized nutrition.

Boosting Gut Health in Indigenous Chickens: Practical Takeaways

The research highlights that native Thai chicken breeds may have a less robust intestinal barrier compared to commercial broilers. This suggests that targeted interventions could significantly improve their health and performance. Farmers and poultry enthusiasts can consider the following:

<b>Dietary Strategies:</b> Exploring specific dietary ingredients that promote mucin production and support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria could be beneficial. Supplementation with prebiotics and probiotics may also enhance gut health and immunity.

<b>Selective Breeding:</b> Focusing on breeding programs that emphasize gut health and immune function could lead to more resilient native breeds. Identifying genetic markers associated with strong intestinal barriers could accelerate this process. By understanding the unique characteristics of different chicken breeds, we can develop tailored strategies to optimize their gut health, leading to improved overall health, productivity, and sustainability in poultry farming.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3906/vet-1609-58, Alternate LINK

Title: Intestinal Barrier And Mucosal Immunity In Broilers, Thai Betong, And Native Thai Praduhangdum Chickens

Subject: General Veterinary

Journal: TURKISH JOURNAL OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES

Publisher: The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK-ULAKBIM) - DIGITAL COMMONS JOURNALS

Authors: Sirin Theerawatanasirikul, Nunyarat Koomkrong, Autchara Kayan, Chaiwat Boonkaewwan

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the intestinal barrier and why is it important for chicken health?

The intestinal barrier in chickens is a complex defense system, much like in humans. It is comprised of physical and chemical components designed to prevent harmful substances from invading the body while selectively absorbing nutrients. The article emphasizes that the intestinal barrier is a critical gatekeeper for chicken health. Understanding the intricacies of the intestinal barrier, which includes elements like villus height, mucin and goblet cells, antimicrobial peptides, and tight junction (TJ) distribution, is key to optimizing chicken health and productivity, especially in native breeds.

What key factors were examined to assess the intestinal health of the different chicken breeds?

The study compared the intestinal health of commercial broilers, Thai Betong chickens, and native Thai Praduhangdum chickens. Researchers examined factors like villus height, crypt depth, the presence of mucin and goblet cells, the distribution of tight junction proteins, and the presence of antimicrobial peptides in the small intestine. The duodenum consistently showed the highest villus height across all breeds. The Thai Betong and Praduhangdum chickens had fewer mucin and goblet cells compared to broilers. The amount of mucin on the intestinal surface in broilers was correlated with the number of β-defensin-positive Paneth cells. Claudin-1 protein was found in the cytoplasm of the epithelium in all breeds. Occludin was more abundant in broilers across all intestinal segments compared to the native Thai chickens.

Why is the intestinal barrier so significant for the health of chickens?

The intestinal barrier's importance lies in its role as the first line of defense against harmful substances, while simultaneously facilitating nutrient absorption. Maintaining a healthy intestinal barrier, which includes tight junction proteins, antimicrobial peptides, and a robust mucous layer, is vital for overall chicken health. If the barrier is compromised, chickens become more susceptible to infections and diseases, which can negatively impact their growth and productivity. The study suggests that native Thai breeds may have a less robust intestinal barrier compared to commercial broilers, highlighting the need for interventions to improve their health and performance.

What are the roles of mucin and goblet cells in the intestinal barrier?

Mucin and goblet cells are integral parts of the intestinal barrier. They produce mucin, which forms a protective mucous layer that shields the intestinal lining from pathogens and other harmful substances. The study revealed that Thai Betong and Praduhangdum chickens had fewer mucin and goblet cells compared to broilers. This suggests that the native breeds might have a less robust protective layer. In broilers, the amount of mucin on the intestinal surface was correlated with the number of β-defensin-positive Paneth cells, specialized immune cells that secrete antimicrobial peptides. This interplay highlights the importance of a healthy mucous layer for effective immune function.

What are tight junction proteins and why are they important for intestinal health in chickens?

Tight junction (TJ) proteins, such as Claudin-1 and Occludin, are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. They form a tight seal between the cells lining the intestine, preventing the leakage of harmful substances and pathogens. The study found that broilers exhibited a greater abundance of tight junction proteins compared to the native Thai breeds. This suggests that broilers have enhanced barrier function. Enhanced TJ protein expression contributes to a more robust intestinal barrier, which can translate to improved gut health and overall well-being for the chickens. The study indicated that the tight junction proteins are critical for the barrier function.