The turkey microbiome is largely understudied, despite its relationship with bird health
and growth, and the prevalence of human pathogens such as Campylobacter spp. In
this study we investigated the microbiome within the small intestine (SI), caeca (C), large
intestine (LI), and cloaca (CL) of turkeys at 6, 10, and 16 weeks of age. Eight turkeys
were dissected within each age category and the contents of the SI, C, LI, and CL
were harvested. 16S rDNA based QPCR was performed on all samples and samples for
the four locations within three birds/age group were sequenced using ion torrent-based
sequencing of the 16S rDNA. Sequencing data showed on a genus level, an abundance
of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Clostridium XI (38.2, 28.1, and 13.0% respectively)
irrespective of location and age. The caeca exhibited the greatest microbiome diversity
throughout the development of the turkey. PICRUSt data predicted an array of bacterial
function, with most differences being apparent in the caeca of the turkeys as they
matured. QPCR revealed that the caeca within 10 week old birds, contained the most
Campylobacter spp. Understanding the microbial ecology of the turkey gastrointestinal
tract is essential in terms of understanding production efficiency and in order to develop
novel strategies for targeting Campylobacter spp.