Effects of Grain Source and Emulsifier Supplementation of Reduced-Energy Diets on Performance, Slaughter Traits, Tibia Characteristics, Jejunal Histomorphology and Pancreatic Enzymes in Broilers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of emulsifier addition to reduced-energy maize-, barley- or wheat-based diets on selected indicators in broilers. In this experiment, a total of 540 unsexed (mixed-sex) one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were allocated to six treatment groups using a 3 ×x 2 factorial design (five replicate pens of 18 birds). Each diet was fed either as a standard-energy diet without emulsifier or as a reduced-energy diet (−50 kcal/kg ME, achieved by lowering soybean oil inclusion) supplemented with 500 g/ton emulsifier. The wheat-based diet reduced body weight and feed consumption but improved feed conversion ratio compared with the barley-based diet. Feeding a maize-based diet increased carcass yield and the breast (meat, skin and bone) ratio but decreased the leg (two thighs and two drumsticks, with meat, skin and bone) ratio compared to feeding a wheat-based diet. The addition of emulsifiers to barley- and wheat-based diets increased carcass yield. The negative effects of barley- and wheat-based diets on the carcass compared to the maize diet were compensated for by the addition of emulsifiers to the diet. The highest values for tibia breaking strength and tibia ash content were obtained with wheat-, maize-, and barley-based diets, respectively. Tibia ash increased with the addition of emulsifiers to barley- and wheat-based diets. Barley- and wheat-based diets resulted in higher pancreatic amylase activity compared to maize-based diets. Pancreatic lipase activity increased with the addition of emulsifiers. The wheat-based diet increased villus surface area compared to other cereals. The addition of emulsifier to the diet increased villus height/crypt depth but decreased other villus measurements. In conclusion, it can be said that adding emulsifiers to reduced-energy broiler diets feed is more effective in increasing carcass yield in barley- and wheat-based feeds, and that emulsifier addition compensates for the energy deficit in the diet.