Figure 1. Wheat milling
To read more content about aviNews International September 2022
To read more content about aviNews International September 2022
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Using whole wheat as a supplement to commercial feed is not a new concept. It has been a common practice in Northern Europe for more than 30 years (Forbes and Covasa, 1995; Engberg et al., 2004). Compound unpigmented feeds for broilers contain approximately 50-60% wheat.
Figure 1. Wheat milling
In Spain, the main reason for including whole wheat in the feed was to control the problem of wet litter due to its effects on intestinal health and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) (Ravindran et al., 2006; Husveth et al., 2015).
The inclusion of whole wheat improves the functioning of the gizzard and reduces the incidence of proventriculitis, so, despite the high cost, its practical use increases.
Recent data on the benefit of whole wheat on economic performance is conflicting.
In recent years, as a result of the ban on the use of antibiotics as preventives in the EU, the use of whole wheat has been extended to reduce the problem of wet litter and its impact on carcass quality.
Figure 2. Broiler litters
Beneficial effects
The beneficial effects of the coarse grinding of the ingredients (and therefore of the whole wheat) are related to the improvements in the functioning of the GIT and, in particular of the gizzard, where it improves the functioning with an increase in size and a reduction in pH which benefits the activity of pepsin and enzymes.
Recent research shows that the inclusion of whole wheat influences the control and prevention of specific processes and pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella, Clostridium, and coccidiosis. For example, Engberg et al. 2 (2004) found that whole wheat reduced
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