Tibetan chickens (TBC) and Snowland white chickens (SWC) are distinctive poultry breeds primarily found on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known for their strong adaptability to the plateau environment. The gut microbiota has been recognized to play a crucial role in host health and intestinal function, and its composition is closely associated with the environment. However, there is currently a lack of research on the gut microbiota of TBC and SWC native to Tibet, China. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the differences in the gut bacterial and fungal compositions and structures in TBC and SWC. Results revealed that 26,627 bacterial OTUs and 1,937 fungal OTUs were identified in SWC and TBC. Moreover, both groups had no distinct differences in the gut bacterial and fungal diversities. Bacterial taxonomic analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the relative richness of 1 phylum and 187 genera in SWC compared to TBC, while the relative richness of 3 phyla and 197 genera exhibited a significant decrease. Fungal taxonomic analysis also showed a substantial increase in the relative richness of 5 phyla and 105 genera in SWC compared to TBC, while the relative richness of 2 phyla and 82 genera exhibited a significant decrease. In summary, this study highlights the notable variations in the gut bacterial and fungal communities between SWC and TBC. The findings are novel and intriguing and contribute to the development of the chicken industry in high-altitude regions and the exploration of Tibetan specialty poultry products.

To Cite This Article: Wang Y, Yuan Z, Almutairi MH, Zakria HM, 2025. Characteristics and Differences of Gut Bacterial and Fungal Communities in Chickens with Different Breeds. Pak Vet J. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2025.147