TP 8: Studies on the influence of type and intensity of grain grinding as well as feed compacting on the nutritional value of feed and gut health in pigs and poultry
The type and intensity of grain comminuting are very variable. It is assumed generally that for a high digestibility finer grinding is required. On the other hand, an intensive milling of grains can cause considerable adverse effects, including an increased viscosity of the digesta, an affected digesta passage and gastric ulcers in pigs. Furthermore, there are several studies showing that a less intense grinding may suppress certain infections such as Salmonella in pigs. In this subproject studies were conducted with young pigs (15-35 kg BW), with broilers and with young turkeys (3rd to 8th week of life). Grain size reduction were carried out by two different methods. These feeds were then generally fed as mash or pellets. Experimental infections of animals were conducted in order to be able to then check adhesion, proliferation, secretion and spreading of the applied bacteria ‑ beyond the usual collection of performance data and clinical monitoring. Furthermore, pathologic-histological investigations were targeted to statements on the importance of the physical structure of feed for the quality and integrity of the intestinal mucosa. The diets used in this subproject were examined in close cooperation with subprojects 2 and 3, also in terms of the precaecal digestibility of nutrients.
Subproject leader
Prof. Dr. Josef Kamphues
University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation