The MICROHEN project will attempt to establish a link between the gut microbiota and worm pressure on two commercial organic laying hen farms. It will investigate whether the use of fermented waste streams is valid through a positive interaction between microbiota and worm pressure. There is currently a clear knowledge gap: no integrated research has yet been conducted that combines fermented feed, the gut microbiota, parasitic infections, and health and welfare. By linking two highly compatible projects (BIO IntegriWorm & AE VALORAGRO), MICROHEN aims to provide an answer to this question.

The current project proposal focuses on the broad organic poultry sector. Specific case reports describing the final approach will be drawn up after the trials to make the information available to the entire sector.