Feeding effect of inulin derived from Dahlia variabilis tuber on intestinal microbes in starter period of crossbred native chickens

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to study the effects of feeding inulin derived from Dahlia variabilis tuber powder and extract on the existence of intestinal microbes in crossbred native chicken starter. Experimental animals were 280 unsex crossbred native chickens and powder and extract of dahlia tuber as source of inulin, which were started to be fed on day 22. The present experiment was assigned in a completely randomized design with 7 treatments and 4 replications (10 birds each). The treatments were: T0 (basal diet/BD), T1 (BD+0.4% powder form), T2 (BD+0.8% powder form), T3 (BD+1.2% powder form), T4 (BD+0.39% extract form), T5 (BD+0.78% extract form), and T6 (BD+1.17% extract form). Parameters measured were the number of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Escherichia coli, intestinal potential hydrogen (pH) (duodenal, jejunal and ileal), rate of passage and daily body weight gain (DBWG). Data were subjected to ANOVA and followed by Duncan and polynomial orthogonal test. The results indicated that feeding inulin derived from dahlia tuber powder and extract form significantly (P<0.05) increased LAB population and DBWG, but decreased Escherichia coli number and intestinal pH, and slow the rate of passage. In conclusion, feeding inulin of dahlia tuber powder was optimum at 0.9% but that of extract is linier until 1.17%.