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.

Effects of rearing systems on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, lymphoid organ indices, and serum biochemistry of Wannan Yellow chickens

“…Growth performance is an important index used to evaluate poultry production and can be affected by different rearing systems (Liu et al., ). Consistent with the findings of previous studies (Li et al., ; Wang et al., ), we found that the different rearing systems examined in this study had a significant influence on growth performance. It was reported that Gushi female chickens raised under free‐range conditions had lower body weight and weight gain compared with birds raised under indoor conditions (Wang, Shi, Dou, & Sun, ).…”

“…The most widely and commonly used rearing systems are free‐range (FRS) and conventional cage‐rearing systems (CRS), and the chickens are raised under CRS conditions tending to show superior feed efficiency and growth performance (Wang et al., ). Similar findings had been reported for different poultry breeds, including broiler chickens (Li et al., ), laying hens (Al‐Ajeeli et al., ), and local ducks (Zhang et al., ). Moreover, compared with other rearing systems, the CRS is an effective approach for maximizing the utilization of space and stocking density, and decreasing administrative costs and exposure to contaminants.…”

“…In the modern broiler industry, the increasing demand for higher chicken productivity and quality has stimulated innovations in rearing techniques, among which the rearing system has been identified as an important non‐genetic factor affecting broiler production and welfare (Li et al., ). Previous studies had reported that rearing systems played crucial roles in poultry production and quality (Michalczuk, Lukasiewicz, Zdanowska‐Sasiadek, & Niemiec, ; Rehman et al., ).…”

Changes in production performance, antioxidant capacity and immune status of meat ducks under different rearing systems

“…Though CRS makes full use of the breeding house space, ducks were vulnerable as individual activities are much constrained [1]. Whereas, FRS is usually to lay a thick pad of 5-10 cm by straw, sawdust or wood shavings on a cement oor [6][7][8], which could absorb excess moisture but has defects in rearing management. Plastic oor net-rearing and wire oor net-rearing are national wide applied NRS.…”

Intestinal microbiota in growing pigs: effects of stocking density

“…Gut flora has been proven to be influenced by external factors such as cleanliness at and after birth, how the young are fed, and early birth (Gibson, Crofts, & Dantas, 2015). High stocking density may lead to an increase in pathogens that affect the digestive tract, although this is a relatively unstudied subject (Li et al, 2017;Weber et al, 2015). In this study, we explored the effects of different stocking densities on the expression of markers for oxidative stress and the presence of commensal gut bacteria.…”