Effects of feed form on small intestine histomorphology of broilers

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of different feed forms on small intestine histomorphology of broiler chicken at 35 days of age. A total of 72 unsexed New-Lohman broiler chicks was placed into three treatments with three replications of 8 chicks. Feed treatments were given in two phases: 0-21 days and 22-35 days. The treatments group consisted of T1 (0-21 days: mash form, 22-35 days: mash form, defined as mash: mash), T2 and T3 were crumble:crumble and crumble: pellet form, respectively. Parameters evaluated were small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) histomorphology (villus height, villus width, crypt depth, and villus height to crypt depth ratio), as well as their weight (g) and length (cm). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Villus height, crypt depth, and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum of T1 were lower than T2 and T3. The length and weight of duodenum and jejunum of T2 and T3 were higher than T1. It can be concluded that broilers fed by crumble: crumble and crumble: pellet form could improve the development of small intestine as well as its histomorphology. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.