EChook News/ Litter consumption affects bird performance
From Poultry Hub
Litter consumption affects bird performance
Monday, 18 September 2006
A new Poultry CRC research project is investigating the consumption of litter (bedding materials) by broiler chickens and the associated potential for improved growth performance and disease-resistance.
How consumption of different types of litter materials affects growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut function and gut health in poultry is a largely unexplored research area.
Recent data from a completed Poultry CRC project with egg-laying hens performed at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NULS) has indicated that the type of litter material in the litter bath affects feed intake and feed utilisation.
Here in Australia, Poultry CRC researchers, in conjunction with Inghams Enterprises, recently conducted an experiment with broilers as part of a masters degree from the University of New England undertaken by Moreen Ali, the Laboratory Manager at Inghams. Preliminary results indicate an effect of litter material on gizzard development.
“The industry is very enthusiastic about the collaborative research effort to better understand the importance of broiler litter and feed particle size on gut health and performance,” says Ron MacAlpine, the National Nutrition Manager for Inghams Enterprises.
Further experiments in both Australia and Norway will test a number of hypotheses, including the role of a more functional gizzard in the control of undesirable bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens (which causes Necrotic Enteritis), Eimeria (which causes Coccidiosis) and Salmonella.
“The challenge of maintaining gut health during production is an issue faced by poultry industries worldwide,” says Poultry CRC Program Manager, Dr. Bob Hughes, from SARDI.
“This project will help address issues such as animal welfare, environmental impacts and food safety with minimal changes to the current production practices, helping the industry to move towards a more sustainable production of poultry meat.
“It is highly unlikely that this powerful combination of expertise and knowledge would have come together without the establishment of the Australian Poultry CRC to foster such links for the benefit of the Australian poultry industry.”
