Insoluble fiber source influences performance, nutrients digestibility, gut development and carcass traits of broilers

Abstract

A research study was executed to evaluate the dietary influence insoluble fiber obtained from different sources on various production parameters in the broilers. A total of 180 1d old mixed sex Ross 308 broiler chicks were procured and placed randomly to 5 treatment groups of 6 replicates each. There were 36 broilers in each treatment group. The broilers in first treatment group were fed basal diet whereas broilers in all other groups were fed ration containing insoluble fiber (oat and rice hulls wood shavings and sugarcane bagasse) each of which was included at level of 3%. All the diets were offered to the broilers in mesh form during the entire experimental duration of 7 weeks. The broilers fed oat hull based diet has significantly improved growth performance compared to those fed other experimental diets and control. Carcass traits including dressed weight with and without giblet breast and leg quarter yields were significantly higher by the addition of oat hulls compared to other dietary treatment groups. The broiler fed oat hulls and sugarcane bagasse based rations has significantly improved relative weight of the gizzard compared to other treatment groups. Gut health parameters including villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio were increased by 15 and 34% whereas crypt depth was decreased by 34% by the addition of oat hulls in comparison with other dietary treatments. Apparent ileal digestibility of various nutrients including dry matter crude protein and amino acids was increased significantly by feeding oat hulls based ration to the broilers. In short dietary supplementation of sugarcane bagasse and oat hulls has resulted in an improved production and carcass parameters better intestinal histo-morphology and increased digestibility of various nutrients in the broilers.