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Differences in intestinal size, structure, and function contributing to feed efficiency in broiler chickens reared at
B U Metzler-Zebeli1, E Magowan2, M Hollmann3
1University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
Poultry Science
|December 19, 2017
Summary
Environmental factors significantly impact chicken intestinal function and size, influencing residual feed intake (RFI). Rearing location, not RFI level, altered growth and nutrient retention, highlighting the environment
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Poultry Nutrition
- Gut Physiology
Background:
- Residual feed intake (RFI) variation in chickens is not fully understood regarding intestinal contributions.
- Environmental effects on RFI-related intestinal differences remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate nutrient retention, visceral organ size, intestinal morphology, jejunal permeability, and gene expression in chickens with diverging RFI.
- Compare these parameters between two distinct rearing locations (Austria and UK).
Main Methods:
- Selected low, medium, and high RFI chickens (Cobb 500FF) at 5 weeks of age from two locations (n=9/group/sex/location).
- Recorded individual body weight (BW) and feed intake (FI) from day 7.
- Assessed nutrient retention, visceral organ size, intestinal morphology, jejunal enzyme activity, gene expression (IL1B, TLR4, MCT1), and paracellular permeability.
Main Results:
- Rearing location significantly affected growth, nutrient retention, intestinal size, and enzyme activity, but RFI rank did not.
- Chickens at L2 exhibited lower BW gain and enzyme activity but higher nutrient retention and longer intestines than L1.
- Intestinal morphology and gene expression varied, with some parameters showing differences between RFI groups within specific locations.
Conclusions:
- The rearing environment profoundly influences intestinal size and function, contributing to observed variations in chicken RFI.
- Feed conversion ratio showed a stronger correlation with intestinal parameters than RFI itself.
- Environmental factors are critical determinants of intestinal adaptations affecting feed efficiency in chickens.
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