HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hetland, H. Articles by Choct, M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Hetland, H. Articles by Choct, M.

Role of Insoluble Fiber on Gizzard Activity in Layers

H. Hetland^*, B. Svihus^* and M. Choct

^* Department of Animal and Aquacultrual Sciences, Agricultural University of Norway, Ås, Norway; and
School of Rural Science and Agriculture, University of New England, Armidale, Australia

Correspondence: H. Hetland, E-mail: harald.hetland{at}iha.nlh.no

Effect of access to wood shavings on gizzard activity was examined for birds fed pelleted wheat and oat diets with or without whole cereal inclusion. Layers on litter floor fed wheat diets with access to coarse wood shavings showed up to 60% higher weight of the gizzard and its content than caged layers fed the same diets without access to wood shavings. No such effect was found by feeding oat diets. Thus, a significant interaction was found, indicating that the appetite for wood shavings may be dependent of fiber level of the diet. Appetite for wood shavings and paper was examined for birds fed wheat and oat diets in 2 other experiments. The intake of wood shavings and paper by birds fed a wheat-based diet was numerically twice as high as in birds fed an oat-based diet. However, the individual variation was remarkably high. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration in the gizzard of birds fed the oat diet was up to twice (P < 0.05) the fiber concentration in the gizzard of birds fed the wheat diet. Passage of structural fibers through the gizzard and the appetite for feathers in the absence of structural fibers were also studied in an experiment using diets based on rice and casein. Coarse fiber structures were observed to accumulate in the gizzard. In the absence of fiber, birds ate feathers, indicating that birds may eat feathers to compensate for the lack of structural components in the feed.

Key Words: insoluble fiber • gizzard • digestion • layer

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. M. Gonzalez-Alvarado, E. Jimenez-Moreno, D. G. Valencia, R. Lazaro, and G. G. Mateos Effects of Fiber Source and Heat Processing of the Cereal on the Development and pH of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Broilers Fed Diets Based on Corn or Rice Poult. Sci., September 1, 2008; 87(9): 1779 - 1795. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Gonzalez-Alvarado, E. Jimenez-Moreno, R. Lazaro, and G. G. Mateos Effect of Type of Cereal, Heat Processing of the Cereal, and Inclusion of Fiber in the Diet on Productive Performance and Digestive Traits of Broilers Poult. Sci., August 1, 2007; 86(8): 1705 - 1715. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Hetland and B. Svihus Inclusion of Dust Bathing Materials Affects Nutrient Digestion and Gut Physiology of Layers J. Appl. Poult. Res., January 1, 2007; 16(1): 22 - 26. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]