Researchers studied how different grains and special enzymes affect the bacteria living in chicken stomachs. They raised 1,500 chickens for six weeks, feeding some corn and others sorghum (a different grain), with some groups getting extra enzyme treatment. By testing the bacteria in their digestive systems at different ages, scientists found that the chickens’ gut bacteria changed naturally as they grew older, but the type of grain didn’t matter much. This is good news because sorghum could be a cheaper, easier alternative to corn for feeding chickens without changing how healthy their digestive systems are.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether using sorghum grain instead of corn, and adding extra digestive enzymes, changes the helpful bacteria in chicken stomachs
- Who participated: 1,500 male baby chickens raised together for 42 days in a large indoor facility, divided into three feeding groups
- Key finding: Chicken gut bacteria naturally became more diverse and healthy as the birds grew older, but the type of grain (corn vs. sorghum) and enzyme levels made almost no difference to this process
- What it means for you: If you raise chickens, sorghum appears to be just as good as corn for keeping their digestive systems healthy, which could save money on feed costs. However, this study only looked at chickens, so results may not apply to other animals
The Research Details
Scientists divided 1,500 young chickens into three groups with different diets: one group ate corn with normal enzyme levels, another ate sorghum with normal enzyme levels, and a third ate sorghum with extra enzyme added. All chickens lived together in the same large indoor space for six weeks. The researchers collected samples from the chickens’ digestive tracts at three different times—when the chickens were young (starter phase), medium-sized (grower phase), and fully grown (finisher phase). They then analyzed the bacteria in these samples using special DNA testing to see which types of bacteria were present and how many different kinds existed.
Understanding how different grains affect chicken gut bacteria is important because healthy gut bacteria help chickens digest food better, grow faster, and stay healthier. By testing at multiple ages, researchers could see how bacteria naturally change as chickens mature, which helps separate the effects of age from the effects of different foods. This approach gives a clearer picture of whether grain choice really matters for chicken health.
This study is fairly reliable because it used a large number of chickens (1,500), tested them at multiple time points, and used modern DNA technology to identify bacteria accurately. The chickens were all raised in the same facility under the same conditions, which reduces confusion from other factors. However, the study only looked at one type of chicken breed and one type of farm setup, so results might be different in other situations.
What the Results Show
The most important finding was that chicken gut bacteria naturally became more diverse and complex as the birds aged. Young chickens in the starter phase had the simplest bacterial communities, while fully grown chickens in the finisher phase had the most diverse and rich bacterial populations. This pattern was consistent across all three diet groups, showing that age is the main driver of bacterial change.
When comparing the three diets, the researchers found that the type of grain (corn versus sorghum) and the enzyme levels had surprisingly little effect on overall bacterial diversity. The chickens eating sorghum had similar bacterial communities to those eating corn, and adding extra enzyme didn’t substantially change the bacteria either.
However, the researchers did notice some specific bacterial shifts when sorghum was used. Certain types of bacteria called Muribaculaceae became more common in sorghum-fed chickens, while other bacteria called Ruminococcaceae became less common. Despite these specific changes, the overall health and function of the bacterial communities remained similar across all groups.
Importantly, all three diet groups showed similar growth performance—the chickens gained weight at the same rate and reached similar sizes by the end of the study, suggesting that sorghum is nutritionally equivalent to corn for broiler chickens.
The study revealed that the feeding phase (starter, grower, finisher) was the strongest factor shaping which bacteria lived in the chickens’ digestive systems. The bacterial communities clustered distinctly by age group, meaning chickens of the same age had more similar bacteria to each other than to chickens of different ages, regardless of diet. This suggests that natural maturation of the digestive system is more important than food choice in determining bacterial composition.
This research aligns with previous studies showing that gut bacteria naturally diversify as animals age. The finding that grain type has minimal impact on overall bacterial health is somewhat surprising and suggests that previous concerns about sorghum affecting chicken digestion may have been overstated. The results support growing evidence that sorghum is a viable alternative grain for poultry farming, which is important as farmers look for more sustainable and cost-effective feed options.
This study only looked at male chickens of one breed in one type of farm setting, so results might differ for female chickens, different breeds, or different farming conditions. The research focused only on bacteria in one part of the digestive system (the cecum) and didn’t measure other important health markers like immune function or disease resistance. Additionally, the study didn’t track individual chickens over time—it only sampled different chickens at each age point. Finally, while the enzyme superdosing didn’t change bacteria in this study, the long-term effects on chicken health and performance weren’t measured.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, sorghum appears to be a safe and effective substitute for corn in chicken feed with moderate confidence. The addition of extra digestive enzymes does not appear necessary when using sorghum, as it doesn’t significantly improve bacterial health or growth. Farmers could consider switching to sorghum if it’s more affordable or available in their area, without expecting negative effects on chicken digestive health.
This research is most relevant to chicken farmers and poultry producers looking to reduce feed costs or find alternative grains. It may also interest agricultural scientists and nutritionists developing chicken feed formulas. This study specifically applies to broiler chickens (meat chickens) raised in conventional indoor farming systems. Results may not apply to backyard chickens, egg-laying hens, or other poultry species.
Changes in gut bacteria happen relatively quickly—within days to weeks of diet changes. However, the full effects on chicken growth and health would be visible over the entire 6-week growing period. Farmers switching from corn to sorghum should expect to see similar growth rates and health outcomes within this timeframe.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If tracking chicken health in a farm management app, record weekly weight gain and feed conversion ratio (pounds of feed needed per pound of weight gained) when switching between corn and sorghum diets. Compare these metrics across diet types to verify that sorghum performs equally to corn on your farm.
- A practical change would be to gradually introduce sorghum into your chicken feed mix (starting at 25% sorghum, 75% corn, then increasing over 2-3 weeks) while tracking chicken growth and health. Use the app to log feed costs, chicken weights, and any health observations to determine if sorghum works well for your specific operation.
- Set up monthly tracking of feed costs, average daily weight gain, and feed efficiency across different grain types. Create alerts in the app to compare these metrics quarterly, allowing you to make data-driven decisions about which grain provides the best value without sacrificing chicken health.
This research applies specifically to broiler chickens and may not apply to other poultry species, other animals, or humans. The study was conducted in a controlled farm environment and results may vary based on different farming conditions, chicken breeds, or feed sources. Before making significant changes to chicken feed, consult with a poultry nutritionist or veterinarian familiar with your specific operation. This summary is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional agricultural or veterinary advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.