Comparison of the effect of prebiotic and various types of fiber on performance and some physiological parameters of broiler chickens

In order to compare the effect of prebiotic and various types of fibers on performance and some physiological parameters of broiler chickens, an experiment was performed with 320 chicks with eight treatments in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments were basal diet (corn-soybean meal), basal diet with prebiotic (Biolex, MB40), and various sources of fiber (wheat bran (WB), soybean hull (SH), and palm kernel meal (PKM)). Different types of fiber and prebiotics were added to the diet at 1.5,3% and 2 g/kg, respectively. The birds that consumed 1.5% of PKM had the best feed conversion ratio compared to the other treatments except 3% of PKM and control diet (P<0.05). Abdominal fat pad significantly decreased in birds that consumed various types of fiber compared to the control diet (P<0.05). Apparent ileal digestibility of organic matter and crude protein increased in birds that consumed 3% palm kernel meal (P<0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility of ether extract decreased in birds that consumed PKM compared to the control diet (P<0.05). Dietary inclusion of various types of fiber caused a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides compared to the control diet (P<0.05). The results showed that dietary inclusion of PKM improved performance, decreased abdominal fat pad and E.coli and coliform population of cecum and increased digestability of crude protein and population of Lactobacillus of cecum in broiler chickens.