<b>Effect of symbiotic use and production system on the performance and morphometrics of the intestinal epithelium of free-range broiler chickens</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v29i4.996

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the performance and morphometrics of the intestinal epithelium of Label Rouge broilers submitted to diets with or without the addition of a symbiotic, and distributed into two production systems – indoors or with access to a paddock. A total number of 560 day-old male chicks were distributed in a completely randomized block design with two treatments, with four replications of 35 birds each. Birds fed the symbiotic and reared indoors presented better performance as compared to birds in the other treatments. The diet influenced liver and ileum weights, whereas the production system affected gizzard and jejunum weights. In the duodenum, only the indoor production system affected villi width. The production system influenced crypt depth in the jejunum. It was concluded that the addition of the symbiotic product to Label Rouge broiler diets improved performance, whereas gastrointestinal epithelium morphometrics were not affected, regardless of the rearing system.