Table 1. Supplementation of 1% eubiotic lignocellulose (OptiCell, Agromed Austria) influences SCFAs production and diversity of the caecal gut flora in 8 week old ISA Brown hens.
Control group
Parameters of caecal fibre degradation Fibre digestibility
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (fibre degrading bacteria) Prevotella (fibre degrading bacteria)
Parameters of SCFAs metabolism Sutterella (acetate-producing bacteria) Roseburia (butyrate-producing bacteria) Oscillospira (butyrate-producing bacteria) SCFAs
Acetate
Propionate Butyrate
Gene expression GPR43 mRNA
Parameters of lactate production Lactobacillus panis (lactate-producing bacteria) Lactobacillus oris (lactate-producing bacteria)
- bacteria not detectable + increased abundance compared to control group; mentioned if significant
lignocellulose reaches its full potential at low inclusion rates of 0.5-1.0% and therefore, can be easily included in high-en- ergy diets. The fibre content varies only within a very small range, it is free of mycotoxins and pathogenic bacteria, mak- ing it safe and easy to handle as a fibre source. Scientific study has shown that the energy dilution is negligible and more than offset by the physiological benefits.
Modulating intestinal flora This experiment was conducted with 72 ISA Brown laying hens, starting with one-day-old chicks, up to the age of 8 weeks. Two groups were compared: a control group and a trial group that received 1% eubiotic lignocellulose. Body weight and feed intake were recorded in both groups. Six chickens in each group were housed separately to collect faeces. The same six animals were euthanized at the end of the trial period to collect samples of the caeca. The pa- rameters influenced by lignocellulose supplementation are shown in Table 1. The performance parameters were slightly better in the trial group but this effect could not be statistically validated. The positive performance data in this field trial (Table 2) can be attributed to the presence of SCFAs. The use of SCFAs re- sulted in better and a more even energy utilisation of the feed. Thus, more energy was available to the hens for egg production. This is also reflected in the better feed
conversion. The animal’s metabolism becomes more efficient which is beneficial for its performance and health.
Improved gut metabolism The study showed that the addition of eubiotic lignocellulose has a positive influence on various parameters for intestinal health and metabolism in the caecum of young laying hens. Eubiotic lignocellulose influences egg production and feed conversion in the laying phase. The connection is clear given that SCFAs contribute to a more consistent energy supply and thus have a positive effect on the health and performance of the animals.
Table 2. Feeding trial under field conditions in layers (Philippines): eubiotic lignocellulose was tested at an inclusion rate of 1%; trial period 9 weeks, week 30-38
Number of animals Crude fibre in diet; % Egg production; % Feed conversion
Feeding cost in comparison to control; % Profit/1,000 eggs in comparison to control; %
Control 2,2 3.6
84.26 1.72 100 100
▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 4, 2021
1% lignocellulose 4,3 4.0
85.22 +1.2% 1.62 97.5
-6% -2.5% 102.2 +2.2% 35 - 1% lignocellulose
+ + +
+ + + + + + + +
+ +
Significance
P<0.05 P<0.05
P<0.05
P<0.05 P<0.05 P<0.01 P<0.01 P<0.05
P<0.05
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