ileal phase and a caecal phase. During the ileal phase, they prevent the formation of
viscous content, during the caecal phase, degradation products like xylose and xylooligomers
are fermented by caecal microbes, thus stimulating the production of shortchain
fatty acids (SCFA). It has been suggested that, similarly to ruminants, or other
non-ruminants, the end products of microbial fermentation in the chicken intestine may
contribute with a certain amount of energy to the host bird and
may further play an important role in regulating the microflora populations The concentrations of short-chain fatty acids and lactic
acid (LA) in the broiler gastrointestinal tract (GIT) depend on the cereal type and
feed enzymes inclusion and reflect to a certain extent the activity of the resident microflora
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the grain types wheat, rye and
triticale, and xylanase supplementation influence the performance and the gastrointestinal
ecosystems of broiler chickens considering intestinal viscosity, pH as well as the concentration
of short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid.