The benefits of xylanase supplementation to wheat-based poultry diets are well documented
and it is now routine to
supplement diets containing ground wheat with exogenous xylanases.
It is known that dietary factors can influence the development and the size of digestive
organs, which in turn may be anticipated to influence saleable carcass yield. In most studies
evaluating whole wheat feeding, gizzard size has been reported to be greater in birds consuming
whole grains compared to those fed the pelleted diets Limited data suggest that
whole wheat feeding may influence the development of small intestine
Exogenous xylanase supplementation may also modify the size of gastrointestinal tract, but
available data on this aspect are contradictory The effects of whole wheat feeding and supplemental xylanase on the size
of digestive tract and carcass characteristics are therefore of practical interest.
Few studies, however, have investigated the influence of method of wheat inclusion
(ground versus whole wheat) on the response to xylanase supplementation The objective of the present studywas to examine the influence of whole wheat
inclusion and xylanase supplementation on the performance, digestive tract measurements
and carcass characteristics in broilers fed wheat-soy diets.