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Use of wheat dilution to improve digestive function in broilers: application in low protein diets
M Naeem1, E J Burton1, D V Scholey1
1School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, UK.
British Poultry Science
|December 6, 2023
Summary
Diluting broiler diets with whole wheat improved nitrogen efficiency and litter quality, despite slightly lower body weight gain. Whole wheat inclusion enhanced growth performance compared to finer wheat particles in low crude protein diets.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Poultry Nutrition
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Dietary crude protein (CP) levels significantly impact broiler chicken performance and health.
- Wheat particle size can influence digestive tract development and nutrient utilization in poultry.
- Optimizing diet formulation is crucial for sustainable broiler production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of varying wheat particle sizes in low crude protein diets on broiler growth, digestion, nitrogen efficiency, and litter quality.
- To determine the optimal wheat inclusion strategy for broiler chickens fed reduced CP diets.
Main Methods:
- Ross 308 male broiler chicks (n=336) were fed diets with standard CP (22.50%) or reduced CP (20.25%) supplemented with 20% wheat of different geometric mean diameters (GMD): 578 µm (W578), 1326 µm (W1326), or whole wheat (WW).
- Growth performance, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), digestive tract parameters (gizzard weight, gastric isthmus diameter, mucosal depth, tensile strength), ileal morphology, nitrogen excretion, and litter quality were assessed from day 0 to 21.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare treatment effects (P < 0.05).
Main Results:
- Lower body weight gain was observed in broilers fed low CP diets compared to the control. Whole wheat (WW) inclusion improved body weight gain over W578 and W1326.
- Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was comparable between control and WW groups, but poorer for W1326. Gizzard relative weight increased with WW. Gastric isthmus diameter decreased with W1326 and WW.
- Nitrogen excretion (g/kg BWG) was lower in W1326 and WW groups. Litter nitrogen, moisture, and footpad scores significantly decreased in the WW group compared to the control.
Conclusions:
- Reducing dietary CP to 20.25% can lower broiler growth performance, but whole wheat inclusion mitigates this effect.
- Whole wheat inclusion in low CP diets improves nitrogen utilization and litter quality, reducing the incidence of footpad dermatitis.
- Dietary strategy involving whole wheat in reduced CP diets offers potential benefits for broiler health and environmental impact.
