Effects of stocking density on the growth performance and digestive microbiota of broiler chickens

Increased stocking densities are frequently reported to depress chicken growth performance, but the mechanisms behind this are not fully understood. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of stocking density on growth performance and digestive microbiota, known to be sensitive to environmental factors. Chickens were reared at 2 stocking densities, 12 or 17 birds/m(2). Growth performance was recorded between d 1 and 39, and litter...