The gut microbiome of farm animals plays a crucial role in health, stress responses, and welfare, with husbandry practices significantly affecting microbiome composition.
The gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in animal health, stress responses, and potentially emotional states. Stress from crowding, transport, and poor housing causes microbiome disruption that compromises immunity and contributes to disease susceptibility. The gut-brain axis connects microbiome composition to neurological function and emotional states. Antibiotic use, which is widespread in intensive animal agriculture, disrupts the microbiome with lasting effects on health and potentially welfare. Husbandry practices that reduce stress, provide diverse diets, and minimize antibiotic use support healthier microbiomes and better welfare outcomes.