Current concepts of the role of fiber in the bird

Realization of the genetic potential of poultry productivity in industrial poultry farming is achieved by creating optimal conditions for keeping poultry and providing it with compound feeds, balanced in terms of metabolic energy and a complex of nutrient, mineral and biologically active substances. Fiber has always been and remains among the standardized indicators in mixed feed for poultry, since its excessive amount in a number of feed products (hulled crops, bran, sunflower meal, cake, etc.) is associated with a reduced digestibility of nutrients and energy availability). It is believed that fiber maintains the balance of the intestinal microflora, stimulates the growth of the muscular stomach and motility of the digestive tract, being a natural sorbent, absorbs toxic substances and ensures normal digestion and absorption of nutrients in feed. Despite the fact that the presence of fiber in compound feed for poultry is inevitable, the opinion of experts on its benefits differs.On the one hand, leading breeding companies and scientists consider fiber to be a necessary component for the development of the gizzard in order to stimulate the consumption of compound feed. On the other hand, poultry nutritionists try not to overload diets with fiber, especially if they consist of components that are difficult to hydrolyze, as this reduces the energy value of the diet. In addition, wastes from flour and fat-and-oil industries are often associated with such disadvantages as increased bacterial contamination or mycotoxin contamination. There is another controversial point that different sources of fiber have different effects on the digestive system, which is associated with the presence of anti-nutritional factors in the feed that affect its solubility. The review of publications provides information on the role of insoluble fiber in the body of poultry and its traditional and alternative sources.