title: Effects of different rearing systems on growth, small intestinal morphology and selected indices of fermentation status in broilers.
abstract: A 3×2 factorial experiment was conducted to determine the effects of rearing system and stocking density on the growth performance, intestinal morphology and fermentation status of broilers. Broilers were kept on three rearing systems: floor litter rearing (FRS), plastic net rearing (NRS) and multilayer cage rearing system (CRS), each with two stocking densities (normal and high stocking densities). Results showed that on 7 to 28 days of age, body weight gain appeared as FRS > NRS > CRS. Whereas, CRS significantly enhanced the weight gain of broilers compared with the other systems subsequently. Broilers on FRS had higher counts of cecum Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli at 28 days of age but had more Escherichia coli and less Bifidobacteria than CRS at 42 days of age. The FRS also decreased volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and jejunal villus height-to-crypt depth ratio at all ages. In conclusion, FRS appeared to benefit gut microorganisms during the early growing period along with high body weight gain of broilers, whereas this system might have a harmful effect on subsequent intestinal growth, as indicated by high E. coli, low Bifidobacteria count, low VFA concentration and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio along with low weight gain of broilers.
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: Jianhui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: Wenxia
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: Jundong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002432:Cecum / Q000382:microbiology; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D005285:Fermentation; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; C062777:adhesin, Lactobacillus
keywords: broiler; fermentation status; growth performance; intestinal morphology; rearing system