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The role of the crop in poultry production
- Source :
- World's Poultry Science Journal. 72:459-472
- Publication Year :
- 2016
- Publisher :
- Informa UK Limited, 2016.
-
Abstract
- The importance of the crop is often underestimated in poultry production. In addition to storing ingested feed, it also can impact nutrient digestion by digesta softening and the initial activity of feed (endogenous and exogenous) and microbial enzymes. The crop represents the first major defence against poultry pathogens and zoonotic organisms with well established adaptive and innate immune function, and a lactobacilli dominated microbiota capable of reducing the passage of these organisms further along the digestive tract. However, the potential to improve bird productivity and health, as well as affect meat and egg safety, are influenced by the nature of the diet, and in particular feed entry and extended presence in the crop. This is required to promote lactobacilli fermentation, the production of lactic acid and other volatile fatty acids, and the lowering of crop pH. Management practices such as meal feeding and the use of lighting programs with extended dark periods encourage crop utilisation. Further, the use of feed additives such as prebiotics and probiotics may enhance crop function, which in turn contributes to well-being of the entire digestive tract. A healthy and functional crop, along with other segments of digestive tract, has increased importance in an era of reduced antibiotic use in poultry feeds.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
business.industry
fungi
0402 animal and dairy science
food and beverages
Crop (anatomy)
04 agricultural and veterinary sciences
Biology
Food safety
040201 dairy & animal science
Biotechnology
03 medical and health sciences
030104 developmental biology
Nutrient
Microbial enzymes
Production (economics)
Animal Science and Zoology
Fermentation
Digestive tract
Food science
Digestion
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 17434777 and 00439339
- Volume :
- 72
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- World's Poultry Science Journal
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........adaac4dd19716635f1a1913ee537e85c
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s004393391600026x