How feed constituents regulate gut motility, feed utilisation and growth in broiler chickens

Abstract

This thesis addresses the implications of different feed ingredients on motility, in particular reverse peristalsis, and gut development and the resulting impact on performance in the broiler chicken. Four experiments were carried out with the aim of manipulating the broiler's gut motility by various feed ingredients, and feeding practices. To elucidate possible motility responses to the dietary factors, feed passage rates, and reverse peristalsis were measured using a variety of markers. The corresponding interactions with gut development and bird performance were also recorded. Each experimental chapter has been presented as an individual study, thus, this summary will only give a general overview of the key findings of the thesis. Chapter 1 briefly describes the background information to the study, leading to the formation of the major objectives and hypotheses of the present study. Chapter 2 presents a review of the relevant literature, covering general digestive physiology and motility, gut microflora, and reverse peristalsis. The final section of the literature review describes the influence feed constituents and feeding practices have over gut development and performance in the chicken.