Avian influenza virus (AIV) poses significant threats to poultry and human health. This study investigates the impact of H9N2 AIV infection on the respiratory microbiota of chickens using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Total 48 one-day-old specific pathogen-free chickens were assigned to six groups: a control and five post-infection groups (days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9). After a 15-day microbiota stabilization period, the infected chickens received a viral inoculum (10