Effects of Micronized Bamboo Powder on Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Intestinal Histology, and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with different levels of micronized bamboo powder on the performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota of Hy Line Brown laying hens during the late laying period, and to determine its optimal inclusion level.A total of 480 42-week-old laying hens were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 5 replicates per group. The hens were fed a basal diet or diets supplemented with 2%, 3%, or 4% micronized bamboo powder. The experiment included a 7-day adaptation period followed by a 28-day main experimental period. Cecal samples (approximately 200 mg each) were collected, flash-frozen, and stored at -80 C for microbiota analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.