Effects of Bee Pollen Inclusion on the Performance and Gut Morphology of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine the effect of bee pollen inclusion on the performance and gut morphology of Ross 308 broiler chickens. A total of 240-day-old chicks (120 males and 120 females) were allocated to 4 treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with sex as a block. Each experimental group was replicated 3 times with 10 chicks per replicate, with an average weight of 40 ± 5g per bird. Body weight and feed intake were measured on a weekly basis to calculate the feed conversion ratio. Gut morphology was measured on days 21 and 42. Data were analysed using the General Linear Model procedures of the Statistical Analysis System.Bee pollen inclusion in starter diets had an effect (p<0.05) on body weight and live weight gain of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. The different inclusion levels of bee pollen had an effect (p<0.05) on the gut morphology of Ross 308 broiler chickens. The ileum lengths of female broiler chickens were significantly wider (p<0.05) in comparison with male chickens. This may suggest that bee pollen inclusion has a beneficial effect on broiler chickens gut morphology during the early stages of development. It can be concluded that natural substances such as bee pollen can be a possible feed additive to replace synthetic antibiotics, since such compounds are essential for the growth and development of poultry gut.

摘要 本研究旨在探究日粮添加蜂花粉对罗斯308肉鸡（Ross 308 broiler chickens）生产性能及肠道形态的影响。试验选取240只1日龄雏鸡（公母各120只），采用以性别为区组的随机完全区组设计（Randomized Complete Block Design, RCBD），将其分为4个处理组；每个试验组设置3个重复，每个重复10只雏鸡，试验初始单只雏鸡平均体重为40±5g。每周测定体重与采食量，用以计算料重比；分别于第21日龄和第42日龄测定肠道形态。试验数据采用统计分析系统（Statistical Analysis System, SAS）的一般线性模型（General Linear Model, GLM）程序进行分析。结果显示，在育雏期日粮中添加蜂花粉，对雄性罗斯308肉鸡的体重及活体增重具有显著影响（p<0.05）；不同添加水平的蜂花粉对罗斯308肉鸡的肠道形态亦具有显著影响（p<0.05）。雌性肉鸡的回肠宽度显著大于雄性肉鸡（p<0.05）。这表明在肉鸡发育早期阶段，添加蜂花粉对其肠道形态具有积极作用。综上，蜂花粉这类天然物质可作为替代合成抗生素的潜在饲料添加剂，因为此类物质对于家禽肠道的生长发育至关重要。