In modern poultry nutrition, traditional fibre sources are associated with some negative attributes such as energy dilution of the diet and mycotoxin contamination and are usually not included during linear formulation. However, fibre is also suggested to have a positive effect on the intestinal microflora and the intestinal health including for poultry. While some nutritionists believe that crud...
Very good article. A recently published paper from a Polish University confirms your statement that insoluble fiber increase the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Pak Vet J 2015, 35(2): 212-216. They used different Level of an insoluble crude fiber concentrate made of lignocellulose in Broilers. The researchers could see at almost all inclusion level (between 0,25 and 1 %) a significant increase in lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria and at the same time a signifgicant reduction in e coli and clostridia in Ileum and caeca.
EXPERIENCE WITH TURKEYS further confirms this trend.
Even Free Range Turkeys, with enhanced fibre intake, still go crazy when given access to fresh bedding. I estimate consumption of 60-70% of bedding material within a few days.
Feed text books recommend a maximum fibre of 4-5% in Turkey Rations, but the high dilution rate from bedding produces minimal effect on growth or FCE.
We are now developing higher fibre rations based on tropical ingredients.
Thank-you. The article "Pak Vet J 2015, 35(2): 212-216" mention "There was no significant effect of lignocellulose inclusion into the diet on broiler performance indices" and as you know in broiler, technical and economical performances are the driving force. So two comments: - Results is the field or in the "real world" can be different especially when we talk about gut balance and mortality. - There are many sources of insoluble fiber. Some work show positive results using oat hulls for instance. A cheap raw material in some place.
Thanks for the nice article the highlights again the importance to chose the right types of fibre to get positive effects in poultry.
One important comment on Fermentability and Solubility: That´s two different parameters which must not be mixed up. Soluble means degradable in the SMALL intestine. Fermentable means metabolized by gut microbiota in the LARGE intestine. It´s true that soluble raw materials (f.e. pectins) often contain as well fermentable fractions, but its not an automatism! The physiologically best fibre source is one that is insoluble (in the small intestine) BUT (partly) fermentable (in the large intestine). Such a fibre source combines the positive physical (mechanical) effects with prebiotic effects (= enhancement of positive bacteria growth in the large intestine producing higher amounts of SCFA)
Recent studies conducted at the University of New England (AUS) by a group of researchers (Choct, Swick, Wu, Kheravii) clearly prove that lignocellulose containing insoluble AND fermentable fibre enhances production of lactic and butyric acid in the large intestine of Broilers. http://www.poultryscience.org/psa16/abstracts/12.pdf
The combination of insoluble fibre which can be fermented at the same time in the large intestine is very beneficial to the formation of butyric acid. Butyric acid is THE key for a healthy gut and improved energy supply of the bird.
Very interesting and would be great to have as well some comments on how pigs cope with soluble and indigestible or more fermentable fibre. They have higher digestive capacity, so more to benefit from. Thanks for the paper, Rafa from Spain.
It is right, oat hulls will do as well in a certain extend a good job. Just need to find a source with a reasonable mycotoxin contamination. Thinking about oats is important to distinguish between the hulls and the bran. Oat hulls contain more then 99 % insoluble fiber while oat bran conains more than 50 % soluble fiber
Thanks for the great comments from all. Indeed, during these hard times with expensive SBM and corn prices, turning to higher fiber cheaper ingredients will truly help reduce feed costs
If you want to introduce fiber and/or reduce feed cost:
- to lower ME level in you feed and in broiler for instance, accept a slight increase in FCR. Effect in growth may not be great.
- to secure quality control of your local and high fiber raw material.
Dear collegues,
Nice article and comments. When i graduated my b.s. studies i learned to limit the crude fiber of my formulation based on the animals and its age as we know that nutrients are compromise by the effect of fiber. Through the years of practice and seminars i have learned much of the positive use of dietary fiber which i always incorporate in my formulations especially the younger ones. Dietary fiber used in animals same with humans is for nutriceutical effect. Dr. Kroismayr gave a good definition and explanation on the topic. i do used lignocellulose fiber as dietary fiber source, however i found other source that i think has more advantage than that of lignocellulose. we should know the proper combination of insoluble and soluble fiber.
As recommended level of crude fiber in broilers should not exceed 5% in the final feed. But can we increase more than 5%, especially during grower and finisher phase?
Fibre, as explained, is a forgotten nutrient but very important in a formulation for some reasons. In poultry production if it's too high the birds may not perform as expected and its complete absence is still not very good. Therefore, there is need to balance the fibre and be sure it does not exceed the limit of broilers, cockreal and layers.
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