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1. To investigate the growth performance and histological intestinal alterations of Aigamo ducks fed on dietary combinations of zeolite, plant extract and vermiculite (ZEM, 14-d-old Aigamo ducks were divided into 4 groups, with 3 replicates of 3 male and 3 female ducks. They were fed ad libitum on a basal commercial duck mash diet with 0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg dietary ZEM for 63 d. 2. Body weight gain tended to be higher for the 0.1 and 0.5 g/kg ZEM groups than for the control group at 9 weeks. 3. In light microscopic observation, most values of the intestinal villus height, villus area, cell area and cell mitosis numbers were higher in the ZEM group than those of the control in all intestinal segments, and the duodenal villus height, cell area and cell mitosis of the 0.5 g/kg ZEM group, as well as jejunal cell mitosis in the 0.1 g/kg ZEM group, increased (P < 0.05). In the scanning electron microscope results, all ZEM groups showed protuberant epithelial cells and cell clusters on the villus apical surface of the duodenum and ileum. In the jejunum, villus gyri were frequently observed in the 0.1 g/kg ZEM group. These histological intestinal alterations suggest that intestinal villi and epithelial cellular functions might have been activated. 4. From the present results, dietary ZEM showed hypertrophied functions of intestinal villi and epithelial cells at the duodenum and ileum, and the 0.1 and 0.5 g/kg levels improved body weight gain. These suggest that the ZEM can be supplemented until a level of 1.0 g/kg.

Forty-eight 154-d-old White Leghorn hens were fed a diet containing 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% bamboo charcoal powder including vinegar liquid (SB). Compared with the control group, production performance in the SB groups did not differ. Egg production tended to be increased in the 0.5 and 1.0% SB groups, but decreased in the 1.5% SB group; the former two groups were higher than the latter (P<0.05). The SB groups showed a lower level of faecal ammonia gas and a higher level of polyphenol in the egg yolk, but the differences were not statistically significant. The intestinal villus height, cell area, and cell mitosis number tended to be higher in the SB groups. Duodenal cell mitosis was increased in all SB groups (P<0.05). The control group showed flat cells on the villus apical surface, while the SB groups showed protuberated cells. The present results indicate stimulating effects of dietary SB on intestinal villi and structure of epithelial cells and the 0.5 and 1.0% levels improved production performance. These suggest that the SB can be supplemented until a level of 1.0%.

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To evaluate the eff ects of a recycled food waste (eco-feed) containing eff ective microorganisms derived from Japanese mugwort silage juice (EJP) on growth performance and intestinal histomorphology, 48 male chickens of 14 days old were divided into 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60% EJP diet groups. At 20 weeks of age, body weight gain was similar in the 20% EJP group but lower in the 40% and 60% EJP groups (P < 0.05) compared to that in the control group. Th e relative total intestinal length and weight tended to be long and heavy, respectively, in the 20% and 40% EJP groups, but short and light, respectively, in the 60% EJP group. Although numerous villi were found in the jejunum and ileum of all EJP groups, the villus height and size observed in these groups were smaller. Cell area and cell mitosis number in the duodenum and jejunum of all EJP groups were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.01). Epithelial cells on the villus apical surface of the 20% EJP group showed morphology similar to that of cells on the villus apical surface of the control group in all of the intestinal segments. Th e growth performance data suggested that EJP could be incorporated at up to a level of 20% in chicken diets. Th e intestinal histological results suggested that long-term feeding of an EJP diet at up to the 40% level may result in a long and heavy intestine by increasing the numbers of miniature intestinal villi.