TY - JOUR ID - 58684 TI - The effect of rice husk as an insoluble dietary fiber source on intestinal morphology and Lactobacilli and Escherichia coli populations in broilers JO - Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine JA - IJVM LA - en SN - 2251-8894 AU - Abazari, Ali AU - Navidshad, Bahman AU - Mirzaei Aghjehgheshlagh, Farzad AU - Nikbin, Saeid AD - 1Graduated from Department of Animal Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran AD - 2Department of Animal Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran Y1 - 2016 PY - 2016 VL - 10 IS - 3 SP - 217 EP - 224 KW - Broilers KW - gut bacteria population KW - intestine morphology KW - Particle size KW - Rice Husk DO - 10.22059/ijvm.2016.58684 N2 - Background: There are some reports on the positive effectsof dietary insoluble fiber on the performance of broilers. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine theeffect of inclusion rate and particle size of rice husk in the diet of broilerson the ileal and cecal bacteria populations and small intestine morphology. Methods: The experimental diets  consisted of a control husk-free diet andfour diets containing 7.5 or 15 g/kg rice husk with particle sizes of less than1 mm or between 1-2 mm. Results:The dietary insoluble fiber did not affect feed intake of the experimentalgroups. The best body weight gain and feed conversion ratio was recorded in thebroiler chickens fed the diet containing 15g/kg rice hulls with particle sizeof less than 1 mm (p<0.05). In the duodenum and jejunum, the crypt depth tovilli height ratio in the control group was significantly lower than othergroups (p<0.05). In the ileum, all the birds fed rice husk except the groupfed the diet that contained 15g/kg rice husk with particle size of 1-2 mm,had  higher Lactobacilli and lowerE. coli and coliforms populations than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest thatthe 7.5g/kg dietary inclusion and more coarse particles size of rice husk (1-2mm) were more effective to promote broiler growth performance. The positiveeffects of dietary insoluble fiber on the growth performance of broilers inthis study are probably a result of favorable changes in the bacteria populations of the gastrointestinal tract andnot any improvement in small intestine absorptive capacit UR - https://ijvm.ut.ac.ir/article_58684.html L1 - https://ijvm.ut.ac.ir/article_58684_6ec72126a3f2f5afd73027d0582dc94d.pdf ER -