Effects of Barley- and Oat-Based Diets on Some Gut Parameters and Microbiota Composition of the Small Intestine and Ceca of Broiler Chicken

Barley and oats can be alternatives of corn wheat in poultry nutrition used at higher inclusion rates. Both cereals contain hulls, a structural fiber source, that beneficial for the gizzard function birds. They also high amounts ?-glucans, which about 60–70% is water soluble. Soluble ?-glucans increase gut viscosity, impair digestion, modify microbiota. The aim this trial was to evaluate effects feeding barley rates with exogenous glucanase on some relevant parameters microbiota composition jejunum content (JC), mucosa (JM), cecal (CC). A total 360 male, Ross 308 broiler chickens were allocated randomly into three treatment groups 5 replicate pens 24 chickens. Beside soybean meal-based control diet (C), (B)- oat (O)-based used. In all phases, fed 40, while 20% rate. At day 10 birds per slaughtered short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration, different parts determined. spite enzyme addition, barley-based significantly increased viscosity ileal diversity bacteriota small intestine. On other hand, decreased microbial ceca resulted lower SCFA contents. abundance phyla Bacteroidetes Firmicutes them genera JC CC. Oats had only slight effect measured parameters. results highlight importance taking account soluble fractions feedstuffs formulation adapt supplementation actual