Abstract
Eubiotic lignocellulose is a new and useful dietary fiber source for chickens. However, few studies have been undertaken on the impacts of its use as a supplement in different chicken breeds. In this experiment, 108 Chinese native breed Bian hens (BH) and 108 commercial breed ISA Brown hens (IBH) were chosen. They were randomly divided into three groups, and 0, 2, or 4% eubiotic lignocellulose was added to their feed during the growing periods (9–20 weeks), respectively. We aimed to observe the impacts of adding eubiotic lignocellulose on the growth and laying performance, gut microbiota, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) of two breeds of hens. In this study, the addition of eubiotic lignocellulose had no significant effect on the growth performance and gut microbial diversity in the two breeds of chickens (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, adding 4% eubiotic lignocellulose significantly increased the cecum weight, laying performance (P < 0.05), but had no significant effect on the SCFA of BH (P > 0.05); however, adding 4% significantly inhibited the intestinal development, laying performance, butyrate concentration, and SCFA content of IBH (P < 0.05). Moreover, the relative abundances of the fiber-degrading bacteria Alloprevotella and butyrate-producing bacteria Fusobacterium in the 4% group of BH were significantly higher than those in the 4% group of IBH (P < 0.05), resulting in the concentration of butyrate was significantly higher than those in it (P < 0.05). Combining these results suggests that the tolerance of BH to a high level of eubiotic lignocellulose is greater than that of IBH and adding 2-4% eubiotic lignocellulose is appropriate for BH, while 0–2% eubiotic lignocellulose is appropriate for IBH.
Highlights
Dietary fiber is important for the growth and production performance of chickens
A total of 108 Chinese native breed Bian hens (BH) and 108 commercial breed ISA Brown hens (IBH) were chosen for study because the tolerance of Chinese native breed to dietary fiber is usually better than that of commercial breed. They were randomly divided into three groups which were given feed containing three levels of added eubiotic lignocellulose (0, 2, and 4%) for 9–20 weeks
Our aims were to evaluate the impacts of adding eubiotic lignocellulose on the growth performance, laying performance, gut development, gut microbiota, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) of two breeds of chickens; determine an appropriate additive amount of eubiotic lignocellulose; and provide a theoretical basis for the application of this new feed additives
Summary
Studies have shown that adding 1% insoluble fiber to the diet of 8 weeks old Hy-Line brown hens significantly increased the feed utilization rate [1]. 1 and 1.5 g/kg of diet improved the laying performance and feed efficiency of old hens [3]. The tolerance of different chicken breeds to dietary fiber is usually different. It reported that high fiber level significantly reduced the daily gain of broilers, but had no effect on the daily gain of layers [5]. Adding chicory extract to the diet of laying hens significantly reduced the number of cecal harmful bacteria [7]. The gut microbiota in different chicken breeds was usually different. Distinct differences in gut microbiota between Indian native chickens and commercial chickens have been observed [8]
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