Poultry Science (Nov 2024)
Investigation into the supplementation of a ferric sillen core-linked polymer on the health and physiological performance of broiler chickens
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Poultry is a ubiquitous and highly sought-after protein source valued for its accessibility, notable protein content, and lack of religious constraints. However, the demand for poultry has resulted in a surge in intensive production practices. The transition from subsistence agricultural practices to intensive food production resulted in the widespread adoption of antibiotics for both therapeutic and economic purposes. These interventions were intended to enhance meat yield, promote bird health, and enhance cost-effectiveness of production. However, this inadvertently contributed to the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Therefore, the need to explore alternative approaches to mitigate the problems associated with AMR has become increasingly pressing. In response, metal-based compounds have emerged as a promising substitute to conventional antibiotics. In this study, the effects of a water soluble metallo-antimicrobial supplement, ferric sillen core-linked polymer (FSCLP), on body weight gain, feed conversion, water intake, volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, cecal microbiome and intestinal morphology in broilers was examined. The findings of this study suggested that the addition of the FSCLP resulted in better bird performance, even during a period of heat stress. Volatile fatty acids analysis of cecal contents indicated that there were significantly higher levels (p < 0.05) of butyric and valeric acids. Cecal microbiome analysis confirmed significantly lower abundance (p < 0.05) of Proteobacteria (e.g., E. coli) and a significantly greater abundance of VFA-producing bacteria such as Intestinimonas butyriciproducens, Blautia and Lachnospiraceae. The intestinal morphology data showed supplementation with the FSCLP at 80 ppm resulted in a significantly higher (p < 0.05) villus height of the jejunum.This study emphasises the potential of FSCLP as a feasible solution to the issues faced by AMR in chicken production, providing insights into its beneficial impacts on performance, microbial composition, and intestinal health.
