Abstract
The effects of inclusion of oat hulls (OH) and sugar beet pulp (SBP) in the diet on the development of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were studied in broilers from 1 to 18 days (d) of age. A control diet based on rice that contained 16g crude fibre (69g dietary fibre)/kg was diluted with 25, 50 and 75g of either OH or SBP/kg. Each of the seven treatments was replicated six times (a cage with 12 chicks). The weight of the digestive organs and the pH of the digesta contents were recorded at d 6, 12 and 18, and the jejunal morphology at d 12 and 18. The inclusion of a fibre source in the diet affected in different ways the development of the organs of the GIT. The relative weight of the GIT with digesta contents (g/kg body weight, BW) increased linearly (L; P≤0.001) as the level of fibre in the diet increased. The weight of the pancreas increased (L; P≤0.01 at d 6 and 12, and P<0.05 at d 18) with SBP inclusion but little effect was observed with OH. The relative weight of the gizzard (P≤0.001) and its DM content was increased (P≤0.001), and gizzard pH was reduced (P≤0.001) with fibre inclusion at all ages. Broilers fed OH had heavier gizzards (P≤0.001) that had higher DM content (P≤0.001) and gizzard pH (P<0.05 at d 12 and 18) than broilers fed SBP. The pH of the digesta of the duodenum increased with OH or SBP inclusion at d 6 (L; P≤0.01) and with SBP inclusion (L; P≤0.01) at d 12. Villus height at d 12 was reduced with SBP inclusion (L; P<0.05) but no effects were detected with OH. We conclude that the inclusion of up to 75g OH or SBP/kg in low fibre diets increased the relative weight of the GIT and reduced digesta pH of the gizzard. The inclusion of high levels of SBP (75g/kg) might have detrimental effects on the structure of the jejunal mucosa. Dietary fibre stimulates the development of the GIT in young birds but an excess might hinder intestinal mucosa structure.
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