Influence of particle size and xylanase supplementation on the performance, energy utilisation, digestive tract parameters and digesta viscosity of broiler starters.

1. The aim of the present experiment was to examine the influence of particle size and xylanase supplementation on the performance, energy utilisation, and gross morphological and histological parameters of the digestive tract of broiler starters fed wheat-based diets. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments evaluating two wheat particle sizes (medium and coarse) and two levels of xylanase supplementation (without or with 1000 xylanase units/kg diet). The two particle sizes were achieved by grinding the whole wheat in a hammer mill to pass through 3 and 7 mm screens, respectively. Broiler starter diets, based on wheat and soybean meal, were formulated and each diet was fed ad libitum to 6 pens of 8 male broilers each from d 1 to 21 post-hatch. 2. Wheat particle size had no effect on the performance of broilers. Xylanase supplementation had no effect on weight gain and feed intake. However, a significant particle size x xylanase interaction was observed for feed per unit gain with xylanase lowering feed per gain only in the coarse particle size diet. Xylanase supplementation improved the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy at both particle sizes. 3. Xylanase supplementation decreased the relative weight and relative length of all gut components. Villus height and crypt depth and total extent of the mucosal layer were unaffected by both wheat particle size and xylanase supplementation. 4. The apparent viscosity of intestinal digesta, determined over the physiological range of shear rates, was not influenced by xylanase addition or particle size. 5. The findings of this study suggest that the effectiveness of exogenous xylanase in broiler diets is influenced by wheat particle size.