• Mixed fungal polysaccharides (GLP and LNT at 1:1 ratio) at 400 mg/kg significantly improve intestinal morphology in broilers, increasing villus height and VH/CD ratio while reducing crypt depth.
• The supplementation activates the Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, upregulating HO-1, NQO1, CAT, and Nrf2, and downregulating Keap1, leading to enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities.
• Mixed FP supplementation increases cecal microbiota diversity (Shannon and Simpson indices) and alters composition, promoting beneficial genera such as Butyricimonas and Alistipes, and increasing Verrucomicrobiota phylum.
• These findings support the use of mixed fungal polysaccharides as a natural feed additive to enhance gut health and reduce reliance on antibiotics in poultry production.