Insoluble granite-grit allows broiler chicks to have better growth performance and gut health

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of insoluble granite-grit on growth performance and gut health status of broiler chicks. One hundred and sixty 14-day-old broiler chicks were allocated to experimental groups control and grit feeding. Each group included 80 birds divided by four replicates, each consisting of 20 birds, 10 males and 10 females. Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, dressing percentage, gut length, abdominal fat pad, and liver, heart, and gizzard weights were determined. Starter diet included 230 g crude protein (CP) kg−1 and 3.15 Mcal metabolizable energy (ME) kg−1 during the days 14 to 21; grower diet included 212 g CP kg−1 and 3.20 Mcal ME kg−1; and finisher diet included 190 g CP kg−1 and 3.20 Mcal ME kg-1. Control birds were fed broiler diets, while grit-fed birds were allowed to consume broiler diets, including 3% insoluble granite-grit. Grit feeding improved the final body weight (2268 vs. 2336 g) with better feed efficiency (2.03 vs. 1.95) and less feed intake (3780 vs. 3764 g). Grit feeding increased gizzard weight (31.63 vs. 48.00 g) without affecting carcass weight (1643 vs. 1708 g), dressing percentage (73.50 vs. 73.60%), liver weight (42.69 vs. 40.69 g), heart weight (12.00 vs. 11.63 g), abdominal fat pad (34.50 vs. 35.38 g), and gut length (229.3 vs. 220.7 cm) of broilers. Grit feeding affects daily gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio positively by increasing gizzard development and health

Reverse Peristalsis in Intermittent and Ad Libitum Fed Broiler Chickens Raised on Diets of Varying Form and Insoluble Fiber Content

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding pattern, feed form and insoluble fiber content of diets on the occurrence of reverse peristalsis, or reflux, in broiler chickens. One hundred and two Ross 308 birds were raised to 18 days of age in 6 groups and then transferred to individual cages, while maintaining the same 6 treatment groups: 1) ad libitum fed Basal diet, 2) ad libitum fed Basal diet + 15% hulls (7.5% barley, 7.5% oat) coarse ground, 3) ad libitum fed Basal diet + 15% hulls fine ground, 4) intermittent fed Basal diet, 5) intermittent fed Basal diet +15% hulls coarse ground, 6)intermittent fed Basal diet +15% hulls fine ground. The birds in groups 4, 5 and 6 had access to feed for one hour followed by three hours fasting throughout the day until midnight when they had two hours to feed before the lights went off. At 31 days of age, 9 birds from each treatment group were given access to feed for one hour followed by one hour of fasting. Subsequently birds were inoculated with CrEDTA via the cloaca, returned to their cages and appropriate feeding regime for two hours, and then slaughtered. Digesta samples were taken from the gizzard, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. This process was repeated on the remaining birds (8 birds per treatment) on day 32. The dried digesta samples were analysed for chromium content using inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP). Although not significant there was a general trend (p=0.0688) for higher chromium levels in the dry matter contents of gizzards from ad libitum fed birds. A tendency (p=0.1655) for elevated levels of chromium was observed in the gizzard contents of birds raised on hulled diets compared to birds fed the control diets. In addition, the gizzards of these birds were significantly larger (

Effect of intermittent feeding and oat hulls to improve phytase efficacy and digestive function in broiler chickens

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