Effects of crude fiber level on growth performance, serum biochemical indicators, and digestibility in zhedong white geese

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and supplementation level of rice hull as a dietary fiber source for geese. The effect of rice hull addition level on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, and digestive performance of geese was explored. Three hundred 28-day-old Zhedong white geese (half male and half female) with similar body weights were selected and divided into three groups. The crude fiber (CF) level of the groups was 4.8%, 6.1% and 6.9%, respectively. The pre-feeding period was 7 days, and the formal test period was 21 days. The growth performance and serum biochemical indexes, amylase, lipase, and protease activities, and apparent digestibility were determined. CF level of 6.1% and 6.9% were higher than 4.8%, but the feed/gain at 6.9% CF level was higher than that at 4.8% (P<0.05). Serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations decreased at CF levels of 6.1% and 6.9%, and insulin or insulin-like growth factor-1 levels were increased. The intestinal amylase activity at 6.9% CF level was lower than that at 6.1%. In contrast, pancreatic amylase activity at 6.9% CF level was higher than that at 4.8%. The digestibility of crude ash and crude fat in CF level of 6.9% and 6.1% were lower than that at 4.8%, whereas the digestibility of crude protein increased. Rice hull as the main fiber source, with fiber level between 6.1% and 6.9%, maintains growth performance and improves some beneficial serum biochemical indicator levels and crude protein digestibility.

Keywords

• crude fiber
• digestive enzymes
• goose
• growth performance
• rice hull
• serum