Mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) in broiler diet during the finisher phase: 2. Growth traits and intestinal histomorphology

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find the effect of Mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) on the performance and gut morphology of broiler chicks (Ross 308) during the finisher phase. A total of 180 of 22 days broiler chicks were distributed into 3 treatments with 3 replicates having 20 chicks per replicate. One group was kept as control and the birds in this treatment were fed on basal ration without alteration in feed contents while the other treatments MOS-50 and MOS-100 represented 50 and 100 g MOS/kg feed respectively during the finisher phase. Treatment MOS-100 improved feed intake significantly (P<0.01) at the age of 4 th and 5 th week followed by MOS-50. Significantly (P<0.01) higher overall body weight gain was recorded for treatment MOS-100 compared to the control. At 5 th and 6 th weeks of age, significantly (P<0.01) lower FCR was recorded in MOS-100. The highest level of replacement (MOS-100) showed the maximum dressing percentage, weight of bursa, thymus and spleen. Significantly higher villus height, crypt depth and goblet cell count were recorded in MOS-100. It was concluded from the results that improvement in growth performance, intestinal histomorphology and relative weight of lymphoid organs in broiler chicks during finisher phase was attributed to MOS at the level of 100 mg/kg.