Work

Enhancing growth performance, meat quality, and gut health of Jiuyuan Black chickens by using Bacillus coagulans-fermented bedding

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming probiotic known for its resilience and metabolic activity, both of which are desirable in promoting gut health and oxidative balance. Nonetheless, the beneficial effects of B. coagulans-fermented bedding (BFB) on raising native Chinese chicken breed farming remain largely unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate BFB supplementation on growth performance, meat quality and gut health in Jiuyuan Black chicken. METHODS: A total of 120 male chicks were allocated to the control (CON, using traditional litter) and BFB groups with four replicates per group containing fifteen birds. The chickens were monitored for 70 days; growth performance was evaluated on days 35 and 70, while meat quality, intestinal integrity, antioxidant capacity, and animal welfare were evaluated on day 70. RESULTS: The results showed that, after 70 days, the chickens in the BFB group exhibited significantly higher average daily gain, lower feed conversion ratio, and increased semi-eviscerated yield and intramuscular fat content compared to the CON group (p<0.05). Breast muscle from the BFB group showed enhanced flavor and juiciness than the CON group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the histological analysis of the jejunum demonstrated increased villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, alongside upregulated expression of tight junction proteins (Claudin-1 and ZO-1) (p<0.05). Additionally, total antioxidant capacity, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were increased, with reduced malondialdehyde levels in the serum and jejunal tissue (p<0.05). Furthermore, BFB improved Jiuyuan Black chickens feather coverage (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study indicated that BFB treatment was a good source of reducing oxidative stress in broilers by improving gut health, antioxidant capacity and meat quality which may provide an essential proof for the practical application to enhance growth performance without causing welfare issues in poultry.

Source: Animal Bioscience

DOI: 10.5713/ab.250646

Authors: Liuting Wu, Xin Sun, Felix Kwame Amevor, Gang Shu, Xiaoling Zhao

Institutions: Sichuan Agricultural University, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Language: English

Topic: Animal Nutrition and Physiology

Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $700