Effect of Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) Hulls with Different Particle Sizes on Growth Performance and Physiological Responses of Broiler Chickens Fed Different Levels of Protein

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

• Najibeh Beigzadeh ¹
• Smayyeh Salari ¹
• Faegheh Zaefarian ²
• Shima Hosseinifar ³

¹ Animal Science and Food Technology Faculty, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Ahvaz, Iran

² Department of R&I in Monogastric Animal Nutrition, Adisseo France S.A.S, European Laboratory of Innovation Science Assistant Professor, & Expertise (ELISE), Saint Fons, France

³ Department of basic science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

10.22067/ijasr.2024.89252.1213

Abstract

Introduction: In broilers, dietary fiber stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid and bile acids and improves amylase activity, leading to better nutrient utilization (Hetland et al., 2002). A well-developed gizzard also enhances reverse peristalsis, which churns food back up the digestive tract. A reduced-crude protein (CP) diet are typically formulated by decreasing soybean meal and increasing feed grains (such as maize or wheat), along with higher inclusions of non-bound (crystalline and synthetic) amino acids to meet nutritional requirements. Studies (Van Harn et al., 2017) have shown that CP reductions (20-30 g/kg) in Ross 308 broiler diets can be achieved without compromising live weight gain or feed intake. Notably, these diets even show a significant improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) with a 3.5% decrease. Dietary fiber with increased particle size may enhance foregut development more effectively in poultry fed diets moderately low in crude protein. This study investigates the performance of broilers fed on low-density crude protein diets with increasing particle size of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) hulls.
Materials and Methods: This experiment aimed to examine the effect of sunflower hull particle size on the performance and physiological response of broiler chickens fed with different protein levels. A completely randomized design based on a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, comprising 6 treatments (6 replicates per treatment, 10 birds per replicate). The treatments included 3 types of dietary sunflower hull types (without hulls, 4% with 1 mm particle size, and 4% with 5 mm particle size) and 2 crude protein (CP) levels (normal and a 10% reduction). Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were recorded, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. To determine ideal nutrient digestibility, chickens were fed 3 g/kg of chromium oxide from days 21 to 25. On day 25, ileum contents from 2 birds per replicate were collected and stored at -20°C. The cecal microbial population was assessed at 42 days of age. Data were analyzed using SAS software and the GLM procedure. Duncan's multiple range test was used for mean comparison at a 5% significance level.
Results and Discussion: The results indicated that incorporating sunflower hulls (SFH) in the diet increased FI, except during the starter period, and improved FCR in both the starter and grower periods. The high amount of FI in the treatments containing SFH may be related to the high level of lignin and cellulose, because it increases the rate of passage of digestive juice through the digestive tract and ultimately increases FI (González-Alvarado et al., 2010). Broilers fed coarse SFH showed increased relative weights of the carcass, gastrointestinal tract, gizzard. The use of a rich source of insoluble fiber in the diet can increase the growth of the digestive system, especially provetriculus and gizzard (Jimenez-Moreno et al., 2013). The apparent digestibility of crude protein improved by coarse SFH with low crude protein. The positive effect of fiber on the digestibility of raw protein can be attributed to the increase in pepsin activity and the increase in hydrochloric acid production (Gabriel et al., 2003). Both fine and coarse SFH in the diet enhanced the Lactobacillus population. Similarly, other researchers also reported that feeding broiler chickens with dietary lignocellulose leads to an increase in the presence of Lactobacillus species (Bogusławska-Tryk et al., 2015).
Conclusion: Overall, the study results indicate that adding coarse sunflower hulls to the diet can enhance broiler growth performance. This improvement is achieved by increasing the digestibility of crude protein, as well as boosting the Lactobacillus population. Additionally, using coarse sunflower hulls led to an increase in the relative weight of the carcass and thighs.

Keywords

• Apparent ileal digestibility
• Broiler Chickens
• Insoluble fiber
• Performance

Main Subjects

• Poultry Nutrition

---

©2023 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source.

References

1. Amerah, A. M., Ravindran, V., & Lentle, R. G. (2009). Influence of insoluble fibre and whole wheat inclusion on the performance, digestive tract development and ileal microbiota profile of broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 50(3), 366-375. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071660902865901
2. ASAE, S. (2003). Method of determining and expressing fineness of feed materials by sieving. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 588-592.
3. (2000). Official Methods of Analysis. 17th Ed. Washington DC: Association of Official Analytical Chemist.
4. Awad, E. A., Idrus, Z., Soleimani Farjam, A., Bello, A. U., & Jahromi, M. F. (2018). Growth performance, duodenal morphology and the caecal microbial population in female broiler chickens fed glycine-fortified low protein diets under heat stress conditions. British Poultry Science, 59(3), 340-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2018.1440377
5. Baker, S., & Herrman, T. (2002). Evaluating particle size. MF-2051 feed manufacturing. Grain Sci. Ind., Kansas State Univ., Manhattan. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2018.1440377
6. Bogusławska-Tryk, M., Szymeczko, R., Piotrowska, A., Burlikowska, K., & Śliżewska, K. (2015). Ileal and cecal microbial population and short-chain fatty acid profile in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with lignocellulose. Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 35(2), 212-216.
7. Chrystal, P. V., Greenhalgh, S., Selle, P. H., & Liu, S. Y. (2020). Facilitating the acceptance of tangibly reduced-crude protein diets for chicken-meat production. Animal Nutrition, 6(3), 247-257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aninu.2020.06.001
8. De Vries, S. (2015). Fiber in poultry nutrition: Bonus or burden. In 20th European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition. Prague, France. 38.
9. Denbow, D. M. (2015). Gastrointestinal Anatomy and Physiology. In Sturkie's avian physiology. 337-366. Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-407160-5.00014-2
10. Donadelli, R. A., Stone, D. A., Aldrich, C. G., & Beyer, R. S. (2019). Effect of fiber source and particle size on chick performance and nutrient utilization. Poultry Science, 98(11), 5820-5830. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pez382
11. Engberg, R. M., Hedemann, M. S., & Jensen, B. B. (2002). The influence of grinding and pelleting of feed on the microbial composition and activity in the digestive tract of broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 43(4), 569-579. https://doi.org/10.1080/0007166022000004480
12. Gabriel, I., Mallet, S., Leconte, M., Fort, G., & Naciri, M. (2003). Effects of whole wheat feeding on the development of coccidial infection in broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 82(11), 1668-1676. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/82.11.1668
13. González-Alvarado, J. M., Jiménez-Moreno, E., González-Sánchez, D., Lázaro, R., & Mateos, G. G. (2010). Effect of inclusion of oat hulls and sugar beet pulp in the diet on productive performance and digestive traits of broilers from 1 to 42 days of age. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 162(1-2), 37-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2010.08.010
14. González-Alvarado, J. M., Jiménez-Moreno, E., Lázaro, R., & Mateos, G. G. (2007). Effect of type of cereal, heat processing of the cereal, and inclusion of fiber in the diet on productive performance and digestive traits of broilers. Poultry Science, 86(8), 1705-1715. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/86.8.1705
15. González-Alvarado, J. M., Jiménez-Moreno, E., Valencia, D. G., Lázaro, R., & Mateos, G. G. (2008). Effects of fiber source and heat processing of the cereal on the development and pH of the gastrointestinal tract of broilers fed diets based on corn or rice. Poultry Science, 87(9), 1779-1795. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2008-00070
16. Greenhalgh, S., McInerney, B. V., McQuade, L. R., Chrystal, P. V., Khoddami, A., Zhuang, M. A., & Selle, P. H. (2020). Capping dietary starch: Protein ratios in moderately reduced crude protein, wheat-based diets showed promise but further reductions generated inferior growth performance in broiler chickens. Animal Nutrition, 6(2), 168-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aninu.2020.01.002
17. Guban,, Korver, D. R., Allison, G. E., & Tannock, G. W. (2006). Relationship of dietary antimicrobial drug administration with broiler performance, decreased population levels of Lactobacillus salivarius, and reduced bile salt deconjugation in the ileum of broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 85(12), 2186-2194. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/85.12.2186
18. Hafeez,, Männer, K., Schieder, C., & Zentek, J. (2016). Effect of supplementation of phytogenic feed additives (powdered vs. encapsulated) on performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 95(3), 622-629. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pev368
19. Hetland, H., Svihus, B., & Olaisen, V. (2002). Effect of feeding whole cereals on performance, starch digestibility and duodenal particle size distribution in broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 43(3), 416-423. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071660120103693
20. Jiménez-Moreno, E., Frikha, M., de Coca-Sinova, A., García, J., & Mateos, G. G. (2013). Oat hulls and sugar beet pulp in diets for broilers 1. Effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 182(1-4), 33-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2013.03.011
21. Jiménez-Moreno, E., González-Alvarado, J. M., de Coca-Sinova, A., Pérez-Serrano, M., Lázaro, R., & Mateos, G. G. (2008). Influence of feed form and fiber inclusion in the diet on water and feed intake of chicks. Poultry Science, 87, 92-93. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pev309
22. Jiménez-Moreno, E., González-Alvarado, J. M., González-Sánchez, D., Lázaro, R., & Mateos, G. G. (2010). Effects of type and particle size of dietary fiber on growth performance and digestive traits of broilers from 1 to 21 days of age. Poultry Science, 89(10), 2197-2212. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2010-00771
23. Jiménez-Moreno, E., González-Alvarado, J. M., González-Serrano, A., Lázaro, R., & Mateos, G. G. (2009). Effect of dietary fiber and fat on performance and digestive traits of broilers from one to twenty-one days of age. Poultry Science, 88(12), 2562-2574. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2009-00179
24. Kalmendal, R., Elwinger, K., Holm, L., & Tauson, R. (2011). High-fibre sunflower cake affects small intestinal digestion and health in broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 52(1), 86-96. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2010.547843
25. Kimiaeitalab, M. V., Cámara, L., Goudarzi, S. M., Jiménez-Moreno, E., & Mateos, G. G. (2017). Effects of the inclusion of sunflower hulls in the diet on growth performance and digestive tract traits of broilers and pullets fed a broiler diet from zero to 21 d of age. A comparative study. Poultry Science, 96(3), 581-592. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pew263
26. Lin, Y., & Olukosi, O. A. (2021). Qualitative and quantitative profiles of jejunal oligosaccharides and cecal short‐chain fatty acids in broiler chickens receiving different dietary levels of fiber, protein and exogenous enzymes. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 101(12), 5190-5201. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.11165
27. Mateos, G. G., Jiménez-Moreno, E., Serrano, M. P., & Lázaro, R. P. (2012). Poultry response to high levels of dietary fiber sources varying in physical and chemical characteristics. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 21(1), 156-174. https://doi.org/10.3382/japr.2011-00477
28. Montagne, L., Pluske, J. R., & Hampson, D. J. (2003). A review of interactions between dietary fibre and the intestinal mucosa, and their consequences on digestive health in young non-ruminant animals. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 108, 95-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-8401(03)00163-9
29. Nawaz, H., Tariq, M., & Muhammad, Y. )2006(. Effect of varying levels of energy and protein on live performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. Protein Science, 43, 388-393.
30. Nursiam, I., Ridla, M., & Hermana, W. (2021). Effect of fiber source on growth performance and gastrointestinal tract in broiler chickens. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 788(1), 012058. IOP Publishing.
31. Pourazadi, Z., Salari, S., Tabandeh, M. R., & Abdollahi, M. R. (2020). Effect of particle size of insoluble fibre on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility and caecal microbial population in broiler chickens fed barley-containing diets. British Poultry Science, 61(6), 734-745. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2020.1799329
32. Sacranie, A., Svihus, B., Denstadli, V., Moen, B., Iji, P. A., & Choct, M. (2012). The effect of insoluble fiber and intermittent feeding on gizzard development, gut motility, and performance of broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 91(3), 693-700. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2011-01790
33. Sarikhan, M., Shahryar, H. A., Gholizadeh, B., Hosseinzadeh, M. H., Beheshti, B., & Mahmoodnejad, A. (2010). Effects of insoluble fiber on growth performance, carcass traits and ileum morphological parameters on broiler chick males. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 12, 531-536.
34. Svihus, B. (2011). The gizzard: function, influence of diet structure and effects on nutrient availability. World's Poultry Science Journal, 67(2), 207-224. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933911000249.
35. Van Harn, J., Dijkslag, M. A., & Van Krimpen, M. M. (2019). Effect of low protein diets supplemented with free amino acids on growth performance, slaughter yield, litter quality, and footpad lesions of male broilers. Poultry Science, 98(10), 4868-4877. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pez229.
36. Van Soest, P. J., Robertson, J. B., & Lewis, B. A. (1991). Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and non starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science, 74, 3583-3597. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022- 0302(91)78551-2.
37. Zaefarian, F., Abdollahi, M. R., & Ravindran, V. (2016). Particle size and feed form in broiler diets: impact on gastrointestinal tract development and gut health. World's Poultry Science Journal, 72(2), 277-290. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933916000222