Inclusion of Oat Hulls as a Source of Insoluble Fiber in Broiler Diet- An Alternative to AGP

Abstract

Inclusion of 2.00 % oat hulls (OH) as natural insoluble fiber (IF) source in broiler diet with or without antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) use was studied on broiler performance for six weeks. Day-old chicks (n=315) were assigned to A, B, C, D and E groups containing 63 chicks in each, where A was control with AGP. Groups B, C, D and E were fed with 2.00 % OH with or without AGP, however D and E were low in calorie-protein. Growth performance was comparable between 2.00% OH without AGP groups (C and E) and with AGP groups (B and D). The IF from OH decreased gizzard pH and increased gizzard weight and width. Inclusion of 2.00 % OH in broiler diet showed significant improvement in Ready-to-Cook yield and numerical improvement in carcass eviscerated and giblet yield. The AGP can be replaced with OH as source of natural IF in broiler diet.