Effects of adding lignocellulose to broiler rations on growth performance, meat quality, foot pad dermatitis and intestinal histomorphology

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the effects of adding %0, %0,4 and %0,8 lignocellulose in broiler rations on growth performance, meat quality parameters, foot pad dermatitis and intestinal histomorphology. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out at Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Poultry Research Unit between November and December 2022. A total of 270 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into three experimental groups consisting of six replicate groups containing 15 animals in each pen. Day-old birds were fed a control diet (0% lignocellulose); control diet plus 0.4% lignocellulose; and control diet plus 0.8% lignocellulose (Arbocel, JRS). The data of the study were evaluated using One Way ANOVA and Chi-Square tests. Results: On d-10, birds fed 0.8% lignocellulose diet had greater body weight compared to birds fed the control diet and 0.4% lignocellulose diet but this significant effect disappeared thereafter. When body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were evaluated, the difference between the whole experimental period was found to be insignificant. In the evaluation of carcass yield, no difference was found between the trial groups. When the litter quality characteristics (pH, humidity, temperature) were evaluated, the difference between the trial groups was found to be insignificant. Using different levels of lignocellulose in diets did not cause any changes in breast meat color, cooking loss, and water retention parameters. Birds fed with 0.8% lignocellulose had a lower breat meat pH value at 24 h postmortem, but this significant effect disseapered at 72 h postmortem. Dietary lignocellulose addition did not affect intestinal viscosity. The addition of different levels of lignocellulose in diets led to significant changes in some intestinal histomorphology parameters. In the duodenum, while there was no difference between the groups in terms of villus height and villus width, however duodenal crypt depth of the birds fed on 0.8% lignocellulose diet was higher (p<0,05) than that of the birds fed on other diets. The ileum villus height, villus width and crypt depth of the lignocellulose-supplemented groups were found to be higher (p<0,05) than the control group. While the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the ileum was not affected by the treatment the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the duodenum was found to be the lowest (p<0,05) for birds fed with 0.8% lignocellulose. The birds fed on lignocellulose supplemented diets had higher FPD score 0 occurunce and fewer FPD score 1 occurrunce compared to birds fed on control diet. The incidence and severity of foot pad dermatitis were found to be lower for the lignocellulose-supplemented trial groups when compared to control group. Conclusion: In conclusion, dietary lignocellulose addition improved intestinal morphology and reduced foot pad dermatitis without adversely affecting growth performance and meat quality. It was concluded that the use of lignocellulose, in commercial broiler chicken farming does not negatively affect performance parameters and breast meat quality, provides improvements in some parameters of intestinal histomorphology, litter quality remains stable and the frequency of FPD formation is reduced. Keywords: Broiler, Intestine, Lignocellulose, Performance