Interactions between the concentration of non-starch polysaccharides in wheat and the addition of an enzyme mixture in a broiler digestibility and performance trial

Replacement of Corn with Different Levels of Wheat Impacted the Growth Performance, Intestinal Development, and Cecal Microbiota of Broilers

Replacing corn with different levels of wheat in the iso-energy and -protein diet of broilers and the impacts on growth performance and intestinal homeostasis of broilers under the condition of supplying the multienzyme complex were evaluated in this study. A total of 480 10-day-old male broilers were assigned randomly to the low-level wheat group (15% wheat and 35.18% corn), the medium-level wheat group (30% and 22.27%), and the high-level wheat group (55.77% wheat without corn) until 21 d. The different levels of wheat supplementation did not affect hepatic function, serum glycolipid profile, or bone turnover. The replacement of corn with 55% wheat in the diet of broilers increased the body weight at 21 d and feed intake during 10 to 21 d (both p < 0.05), with a comparable feed conversion ratio. Compared with the low-wheat group, the dietary addition of medium or high wheat levels notably increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the duodenum (p < 0.05) and the ileal villus height (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the supplementation of medium and high wheat in the diet increased the proportion of Bacteroidetes, and a diet with high wheat proportion elevated the content of Firmicutes when compared to the low-level wheat group (both p < 0.05). In addition, the diet containing 30-55% wheat enhanced the anti-inflammatory capability in both the ileum and the serum. These findings suggest that the replacement of corn with 55% wheat in the diet improved the growth performance of 21-day-old broilers, which might be linked to the alteration in intestinal morphology and cecal microbiota.

Dry residue of cassava on slow-growing broiler diets, with or without the addition of carbohydrases

Dry residue of cassava was studied on the digestibility, performance, intestinal measurements, with or without inclusion of carbohydrases, of slow-growing broilers. 160 Label Rouge broiler chickens, 21-d-old, were distributed in a randomized, 2x5 factorial arrangement (male and female x 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% residue) (metabolism trial). 1,100 male chicks were distributed in a 2x5 factorial arrangement (with/without carbohydrases x 0; 2.5; 5.0; 7.5; and 10.0% residue), with five replicates (performance trial). Increasing residue levels led to increases in energetic values. Feed intake from 1-21-d-old and 1-63-d-old decreased linearly. At 42 d-old, feed intake and weight gain levels exhibited a quadratic response, which predicted a highest value at 3.32% and 4.77%, respectively, for diets without carbohydrases. For 21- and 42-d-old chickens, the inclusion of carbohydrases reduced the weight and length of the small intestine. The energetic values of the diets were positively influenced by the residue and had similar digestibility values for both sexes. Inclusion of up to 10% of residue in slow-growing broiler diets does not impaired performance and intestinal morphology. The addition of carbohydrases reduced the viscosity of the digesta but it was not enough to improve the performance of the birds.

Compound non-starch polysaccharide enzymes improve growth performance, slaughter performance, immune function, and apparent utilization rate of nutrients in broiler chickens fed a low-metabolizable energy diet

This study aimed to investigate the effects of compound non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) enzymes on growth performance, slaughter performance, immune function, and apparent utilization of nutrients in broiler chickens fed a low-metabolizable energy diet. A total of 240 healthy 1-day-old AA broilers (Arbor Acres, 47.2 ± 0.31 g) were randomly divided into four treatment groups, each with six replicate groups and 10 broilers per replicate. The control group was fed a basal diet; the EL-H group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg compound NSP enzyme, including β-mannanase 5,000 IU/g, β-glucanase 2000 IU/g, xylanase 10,000 IU/g, and cellulase 500 IU/g. The EL-M group was fed the basal diet with 50 kcal/kg metabolizable energy removed, supplemented with 200 mg/kg compound NSP enzyme. Finally, the EL-L group was fed the basal diet with 100 kcal/kg metabolizable energy removed, supplemented with 200 mg/kg compound NSP enzyme. The results showed that feeding with a low-metabolizable energy diet supplemented with compound NSP enzymes did not significantly affect the growth performance of broilers (p > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the abdominal fat rate of broilers in the EL-L group was significantly reduced, and that of broilers in the EL-M group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Apparent utilization of dry matter, crude protein, and energy in the diet was lower in the control group than in the EL-L group, but significantly higher in the control group than in the EL-H group (p < 0.05). In addition, apparent utilization of crude fiber was significantly increased in the EL-H, EL-M, and EL-L groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this experiment showed that the addition of 200 mg/kg compound NSP enzyme enabled maintenance of the normal growth and development of broiler chickens fed a low-metabolizable energy diet (replacing 50-100 kcal/kg metabolizable energy). This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of the compound NSP enzyme in broiler chickens.

Rice Bran as an Alternative Feedstuff in Broiler Nutrition and Impact of Liposorb® and Vitamin E-Se on Sustainability of Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Biochemistry, and Antioxidant Indices

The impact of dietary rice bran with or without feed additives on the performance, carcasses, and blood profiles of chickens was examined. A total of 245 unsexed one-week-old broiler chicks were divided into seven groups, with seven replications of five chicks each. The treatments were: (1) control, (2) 5% rice bran, (3) 5% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg of Liposorb^®, (4) 5% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E-Se, (5) 10% rice bran, (6) 10% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg Liposorb^®, and (7) 10% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E-selenium. Considering the entire experimental period, it did not affect the in vivo performance of the broilers. However, all the experimental diets decreased dressing % compared with the control (p < 0.01) and the worst values were obtained for the 10% RB groups (75.7, 75.9, and 75.8%, respectively, for 10%RB, 10%RB + Liposorb, and 10%RB + Vit. E-Se groups). All the experimental diets decreased (p < 0.01) the albumin/globulin ratio due to an increased level of serum globulins. Differences in lipid profiles, antioxidants, and immunity parameters in plasma were not related to dietary treatments. In conclusion, the use of rice bran up to 10% in diets had no harmful effect on the overall growth performance of the broilers from 1 to 5 weeks of age. Still, carcass characteristics were negatively affected, except for heart percentage. In addition, the supplementation of Liposorb^® or vitamin E-Se to rice bran diets did not recover these harmful effects. Thus, rice bran could be utilized at 10% in broiler diets when growth performance was considered; further research is required.

In vitro evaluation of efficacy of nonstarch polysaccharides enzymes on wheat by simulating the avian digestive tract

In this study, the efficacy of different nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) enzyme sources on wheat ingredients and wheat basal diets in vitro were evaluated by simulating the avian digestive tract. In Exp. 1, pH level was increased from 2.0 to 8.0 by simulating the avian digestive tract. The relative enzyme activities of xylanase A, B, and C and β-glucanase X at pH 3.0-3.5 were higher (P < 0.05) than those at pH 2.0 or 7.0-8.0. The optimal pH levels of 3.5 and 7.0 were screened by simulating the proventriculus and small intestine, respectively to evaluate the efficacy of NSP enzyme on wheat sources. In Exp. 2, wheat 1 contained the highest content of NSP fractions and the lowest digestibility in vitro dry matter (IVDMD) and energy (IVED) in wheat samples. Therefore, wheat 1 was selected for hydrolysis research under different NSP enzyme sources and levels (1,500, 4,500, 13,500, 40,500, 121,500 U xylanase/kg and 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 U β-glucanase/kg) in vitro. The hydrolysis of wheat on the basis of the released reducing sugar content was determined by xylanase sources A > B > C (P < 0.05) and β-glucanase sources of X > Y (P < 0.05). On the basis of the hydrolysis, the optimum dose of xylanase A and β-glucanase X were 40,500 U/kg and 2,000 U/kg, respectively. Subsequently, the completely randomized designs involving 2 NSP enzymes treatments × 2 endogenous digestive enzymes treatments (Exp. 3), as well as 2 wheat basal diets × 2 NSP enzymes treatments (Exp. 4) were used to evaluate the efficacy of NSP enzymes on dietary nutrient digestibility. The addition of NSP enzymes (40,500 U xylanase A/kg and 2,000 U β-glucanase X/kg) increased the IVDMD and IVED of wheat 1 without endogenous enzymes (P < 0.05), while the IVDMD and IVED of wheat 1 with endogenous enzyme were only slightly increased (P > 0.05). The addition of NSP enzymes could increase the IVDMD and IVED of corn-wheat-soybean meal diet (P < 0.05), but had no effect on those of wheat-cottonseed meal rapeseed meal diet (P > 0.05). In conclusion, xylanase and β-glucanase additions could effectively eliminate the adverse effects on wheat and wheat basal diets at the optimal pH levels of 3.5 and 7.0 by simulating the proventriculus and small intestine parts, respectively. The efficacy of NSP enzymes was influenced by the enzyme sources, dietary type, and the interaction of endogenous enzymes.

Effect of Oat Hull as a Source of Insoluble Dietary Fibre on Changes in the Microbial Status of Gastrointestinal Tract in Broiler Chickens

This study aimed to determine the effect of the addition of oat hull (0−3%) and high amounts of cereal grains to the diet of broiler chickens in terms of the development of the upper gastrointestinal tract, individual microbial counts in the crop and ileum, and the effect of dietary fibre fractions on microbial changes from the beak to the ileum. In the 28 d trial, 162 one-day-old Hubbard Flex male chickens with an average body weight of 44.5 g were randomly allocated to 27 metabolic cages. The experiment consisted of a randomised, one factorial ANCOVA design composed of a covariate with two ANOVA factorial designs containing nine treatments (3 × 3): three sources of cereal grains (maize, wheat, and barley, with a minimum amount of 500 g · kg−1, each with nine replications) and three levels of oat hull (0, 1, and 3%, each with nine replications). At the end of the study, 81 chickens (9 in each treatment) were slaughtered to determine the weight of the individual organs and characterise the intestinal microbiota. The application of 3% oat hull to the cereal diets increased the weight of the proventriculus and the gizzard (6.3 and 27.3 g, respectively) in comparison to diets without the addition of this structural component (6.0 and 23.7 g). Higher crop counts of total aerobic microbes (6.29 log CFU · g−1) and Lactobacillus spp. (4.05 log CFU · g−1) were observed in diets containing wheat grain compared with maize (4.62 and 3.55 log CFU · g−1, respectively). The main reason for the microorganism’s growth (p < 0.05) was the amount of soluble dietary fibre and hemicelluloses present in the diet: total aerobic microbial count (respectively r = 0.918 and r = 0.816) and Lactobacillus spp. (respectively r = 0.416 and r = 0.442). Barley diets decreased (p < 0.05) E. coli counts in the ileum (2.69 log CFU · g−1) vs. maize and wheat diets (3.41 and 3.45 log CFU · g−1, respectively), mainly due to the increase in the amount of insoluble dietary fibre in the diet (r = −0.462). Reduced total yeast and mould counts in the ileum were also observed (p < 0.05) in connection with the presence of soluble dietary fibre and hemicelluloses in diets (r = −0.397 and −0.398, respectively).

Supplementation of multi-enzymes alone or combined with inactivated Lactobacillus benefits growth performance and gut microbiota in broilers fed wheat diets

The effects of multi-enzymes mixture supplementation or combination with inactivated Lactobacillus on growth performance, intestinal barrier, and cecal microbiota were investigated in broilers at the age of 15-42 days fed a wheat-based diet. A total of 576 broilers (12 broilers/cage; n = 12) were used and divided into four groups and randomly allotted to four experimental diets throughout grower (15-28 days of age) and finisher (29-42 days of age) phases. Diets consisted of a corn-soybean meal-based diet (BD), a wheat-soybean meal-based diet (WD), and WD supplemented multi-enzymes (WED) or combined with inactivated Lactobacillus (WEPD). The results showed that the average daily gain (ADG) and body weight (BW) were reduced in broilers fed WD diet compared with those fed BD diet during the grower period (P < 0.05). Broilers in the WED or WEPD group had higher ADG and BW during the grower period (P < 0.05) and had a lower feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) compared to broilers in the WD group during the grower and overall periods (P < 0.05). Improved expression of intestinal barrier genes (claudin-1, ZO-1, and mucin-2) was observed in WEPD compared to the BD or WD group (P < 0.05). Compared to the BD group, the WD group decreased the abundance of Oscillospira, norank_f__Erysipelotrichaceae, and Peptococcus, which are related to anti-inflammatory function and BW gain. The WD also increased Bifidobacterium and some short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (Anaerotruncus, Blautia, and Oscillibacter), and Barnesiella, which were presumed as "harmful microbes" [false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05]. WED and WEPD groups, respectively, improved Bilophila and Eubacterium_hallii_group compared with those in the WD group (FDR < 0.05). In addition, the Enterococcus abundance was reduced in the WEPD group compared to the WD group (FDR < 0.05). Higher acetate and total SCFA concentrations were observed (P < 0.05) among broilers who received a WD diet. Compared with the WD group, the WED or WEPD group further increased cecal propionate content (P < 0.05) and tended to improve butyrate concentration. These results suggested that supplemental multi-enzymes alone and combined with inactivated Lactobacillus could improve the growth performance based on the wheat-based diet and offer additional protective effects on the intestinal barrier function of broilers.

Non-starch polysaccharide degradation in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens fed commercial-type diets supplemented with either a single dose of xylanase, a double dose of xylanase, or a cocktail of non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes

The aim of this study was to examine non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) degradation in the gastrointestinal tract of chickens fed a range of commercial-type diets supplemented with a commercial dose of xylanase, a double dose of xylanase or a cocktail of NSP - degrading enzymes. Cobb 500 broilers (n = 1,080) were fed 12 dietary treatments; 4 diets with differing primary grain sources (barley, corn, sorghum, and wheat) and three different enzyme treatments (commercial recommended dose of xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg), a double dose of xylanase (32,000 BXU/kg) or an NSP-degrading enzyme cocktail (xylanase, β-glucanase, cellulase, pectinase, mannanase, galactanase, and arabinofuranosidase at recommended commercial levels). There were 108 pens, approximately 10 birds per pen, 9 replicates per dietary treatment. The diets were fed as 3 phases, starter (d 0-12), grower (d 12-23), and finisher (d 23-35). On bird age d 12, 23, and 35, performance (total pen body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio corrected for mortality [cFCR]), litter and excreta dry matter content, and ileal and total tract soluble and insoluble NSP degradability and free oligosaccharide digestibility was determined. On d 35, the quantity of NSP in the gizzard, jejunum, ileum and excreta was determined. Results from this study showed that the double xylanase dose and NSP-ase cocktail had positive impacts on starter phase performance in birds fed the corn- and wheat-based diets. In the grower phase in birds fed the barley-based diet, these enzyme treatments improved cFCR and increased litter dry matter content. The NSP-ase cocktail had a negative impact on finisher phase cFCR in birds fed the sorghum-based diet. The double xylanase dose induced a positive impact on NSP degradability and free oligosaccharide digestibility. In conclusion, there appears to be advantages to feeding broilers a double xylanase dose, but lack of consistency when using an NSP-ase cocktail containing many enzymes.

Interaction between xylanase and a proton pump inhibitor on broiler chicken performance and gut function

Three hundred thirty-six Ross 308 male broiler chicks were used in a 21-d study to explore performance and gut function when treated with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI; 0 or 89 mg/kg) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with a xylanase (Xyl; 0 or 0.1 g/kg) to determine if the beneficial activity of arabinoxylan (AX) depolymerisation, through arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS) production, starts in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with the PPI started from d 14, and by d 21 animal performance had deteriorated (P < 0.001). An interaction was observed between PPI and Xyl for feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P < 0.05), whereby the combination reduced the negative effect of PPI on FCR. Application of PPI raised digesta pH in the gizzard and caecum (P < 0.05), increased protein concentrations in the lower gut (P < 0.05) and reduced intake of digestible nutrients (P < 0.05). Caecal concentrations of indole, p-cresol, ammonia and the ratio of total volatile fatty acid (VFA) to butyric acid were increased with PPI (P < 0.05), indicating enhanced protein fermentation. Xylanase activity in the digesta were greatest in the caeca, especially when Xyl was supplemented (P < 0.001). The concentration of total soluble AX was greater in the gizzard and ileal digesta with Xyl supplementation (P < 0.05), supporting the depolymerisation action of xylanase even under acidic conditions. These data suggest xylanase may function in the gizzard even though pH is not optimal for activity and emphasises the importance of chlorohydric acid secretions in ensuring overall optimum gut function. AX depolymerisation benefits animal performance although it is still unknown how the AXOS produced with xylanase supplementation in the upper gastrointestinal tract influence the microbial populations and overall gut functionality.

Changes in Growth Performance and Ileal Microbiota Composition by Xylanase Supplementation in Broilers Fed Wheat-Based Diets

Xylanase exerts key roles in improving growth performance and intestinal health of broilers fed wheat-based diets. However, knowledge is limited regarding effects of xylanase supplementation on ileal microbiota in broilers. A total of 128 one-day-old broilers (initial BW 48.03 ± 0.33 g) were selected to investigate effects of xylanase (AT-xynA) on growth performance, ileal morphology, microbiota composition, immune response, antioxidant capacity, and endocrine peptide levels in broilers. Broilers were randomly allotted into two dietary treatments (n = 8), namely, a wheat-soybean basal diet and a basal diet with 4,000 U/kg AT-xynA (XY). On days 7, 14, 21, and 42, broilers were weighted and ileal tissues were sampled. Ileal digesta samples were collected for analyzing microbiota composition on days 21 and 42. The results showed that AT-xynA could improve average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake, and there were interactions between diet and age of broilers (p < 0.05). On days 21 and 42, xylanase supplementation decreased ileal microbiota α-diversity, and the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic microbiota, such as phylum Proteobacteria, family Moraxellaceae and Staphylococcaceae, genus Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus, increased the abundance of Lactobacillus (p < 0.05). Moreover, the reduction in acetate concentration and abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria was also observed in broilers from XY group (p < 0.05). AT-xynA increased ileal villus height, glucagon-like peptide-1, and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations and decreased interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and malondialdehyde content in broilers, and these positive effects on intestinal health were greater in young broilers. In conclusion, xylanase supplementation to wheat-based diets could improve ileal intestinal morphology and immune function, and alleviate excess fermentation of bacteria, which may be related to changes of intestinal microbiota. In addition, the positive effects of xylanase on intestinal health were more pronounced in young broilers, thus contributing to subsequent improvement in growth performance of broilers.

Mandated restrictions on the use of medically important antibiotics in broiler chicken production in Canada: implications, emerging challenges, and opportunities for bolstering gastrointestinal function and health– A review

Chicken Farmers of Canada has been progressively phasing out prophylactic use of antibiotics in broiler chicken production. Consequently, hatcheries, veterinarians, and nutritionists have been mandated to contend with less reliance on use of preventive antibiotics. A topical concern is the increased risk of proliferation of enteric pathogens leading to poor performance, increased mortality and compromised welfare. Moreover, the gut harbors several taxa such as Campylobacter and Salmonella capable of causing significant illnesses in humans via contaminated poultry products. This has created opportunity for research and development of dietary strategies designed to modulate gastrointestinal environment for enhanced performance and food safety. Albeit with inconsistent responses, literature data suggests that dietary strategies such as feed enzymes, probiotics/prebiotics and phytogenic feed additives can bolster gut health and function in broiler chickens. However, much of the efficacy data was generated at controlled research settings that vary significantly with the complex commercial broiler production operations due to variation in dietary, health and environmental conditions. This review will summarize implications of mandated restrictions on the preventative use of antibiotics and emerging Canadian broiler production programs to meet processor specifications. Challenges and opportunities for integrating alternative dietary strategies in commercial broiler production settings will be highlighted.

Effects of multicarbohydrase and butyrate glycerides on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, gut morphology, and ileal microbiota in late-phase laying hens fed corn- or wheat-based diets

A study was undertaken to determine the effects of supplemental multicarbohydrase (MC) and butyrate glycerides (BG) on productive performance, nutritional, and physiological responses in laying hens fed corn- or wheat-based diets during a 12-week production period (from 50–62 wk of age). The experiment consisted of a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of the treatments with 2 different basal diets (corn- or wheat-based diets), 2 concentrations of MC (0 or 200 mg/kg of diet), and 2 concentrations of BG (0 or 2 g/kg of diet). Each treatment had 6 replicates with 8 hens each. The interactions among diet, MC, and BG were observed for egg production (P = 0.048), feed conversion ratio (P = 0.005), and ileal Escherichia coli count (P = 0.043), indicating that the effects of MC and BG on these responses were more marked when wheat-based diet was fed. A diet × MC interaction (P < 0.05) was also detected for egg mass, eggshell breaking strength, jejunal viscosity, and digestibility coefficients of fat and ash. Replacing 100% of the corn with wheat in the diets of laying hens negatively affected (P < 0.05) yolk color index, eggshell thickness, digesta viscosity, jejunal morphology, and populations of ileal microbiota. By contrast, MC supplementation increased (P < 0.05) eggshell thickness, digestibility coefficients of energy and crude protein, and populations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. in the ileum. Inclusion of BG also resulted in greater (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height and villus surface area, and digestibility coefficients of protein and ash, but lower (P < 0.05) populations of total bacteria, Salmonella and E. coli in the ileum. Results indicate that while the complete substitution of corn by wheat has a detrimental effect on productive performance and gut health, the combination of MC and BG may have synergistic effects on improving productive performance and intestinal microbiota in laying hens fed the wheat-based diets during the late laying period.

Fermented wheat bran by xylanase-producing Bacillus cereus boosts the intestinal microflora of broiler chickens

Wheat bran, while a nutritious and economic feed ingredient, contents high levels of non-starch polysaccharides which entraps nutrients and interferes digestion and absorption. To study the influence of fermented wheat bran by xylanase-producing Bacillus cereus on growth performance and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens, a total of 180 broilers (21-day-old, mixed of male and female) were randomly divided into 3 treatments, with 6 replicates in each treatment and 10 broilers in each replicate: 1) control check (CK), corn-soybean meal-based diet; 2) wheat bran group (WB), 5% of the corn were replaced with wheat bran; and 3) fermented wheat bran group (FWB), 5% of the corn were replaced with fermented wheat bran. Growth performance was determined in the period of 21- to 42-day-old. Intestinal digestive enzyme activities and microbiota diversity were analyzed on day 42. No differences were observed on growth performance among treatments (P > 0.05). The activity of amylase in the duodenum of FWB was 1.56 times higher than CK (P < 0.05). The Chao1 index of microbiota in cecum of FWB increased 24.26% compared with CK (P < 0.01). The amount of Bifidobacteriaceae in cecum of WB was 29.1 times and 15.8 times higher than CK and FWB (P < 0.05) respectively. Principal co-ordinates analysis in cecum revealed the dissimilarity microbiota among treatments. In summary, the use of fermented wheat bran to partially replace corn (5%) in diets had no adverse effect on growth performance and triggered beneficial effects such as increasing duodenal amylase activity and intestinal microflora abundance in broiler chickens. These observations support that solid-state fermentation by xylanase-producing Bacillus cereus is feasible approach to pre-treat wheat bran for feedstuff industry.

The Effect of Different Dietary Levels of Defatted Rice Bran on Growth Performance, Slaughter Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, and Relative Weights of the Viscera in Geese

Simple Summary

Geese production is becoming more specialized and widespread in China. Feed constitutes approximately 70% of the cost of poultry production. Defatted rice bran (DFRB) is currently used in poultry feed as a cheaper alternative option compared to corn and soybean meal. China is the largest rice producer in the world. When rice is processed into white rice, byproducts are produced. One of the most important byproducts is DFRB. It was found that a high level of DFRB had negative effects on the growth performance in geese (up to 20%).

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of different dietary levels of defatted rice bran (DFRB) on growth performance, slaughter performance, and relative weights of the viscera in geese. A total of 300 28-day-old healthy male Yangzhou goslings with similar body weights were randomly divided into five groups, with six replicates per group and 10 geese per replicate. The geese were fed diets containing 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% DFRB for 42 days. Over the 29-d to 70-d trial period, no significant difference was observed in the average daily feed intake in geese (p > 0.05). However, 30% and 40% DFRB reduced body weights of geese at 70 d (p < 0.01) and average daily gain from 28 d to 70 d (p < 0.05) were observed, and 20%, 30%, and 40% DFRB increased feed-to-gain ratios from 28 d to 70 d (p < 0.01). Birds in the 30% and 40% DFRB groups had reduced breast yields (p < 0.05), and birds in the 40% DFRB group had increased thigh yields (p < 0.05). Birds in the 20%, 30%, and 40% DFRB groups had increased proventriculus weights (p < 0.01). The results suggested that a high level of DFRB affected growth performance, slaughter performance, and visceral development. Under the experimental conditions, we recommend that the dietary level of DFRB should not exceed 20% to avoid negative effects on geese.