Fermented cottonseed meal improves production performance, immune function and intestinal microecological environment of laying hens and its nutritional properties.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Global population growth and consumption upgrades have led to an increase in demand for animal feed protein sources, which has prompted an urgent need to find economical alternative protein sources. In this study, the potential of partially replacing traditional protein source soybean meal (SBM) with fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) in practical applications were evaluated.

Methods

The 180 24-week-old Hyland Brown laying hens were randomly divided into a control group (CON, fed SBM) and an experimental group (FCSM, fed FCSM). The effects of FCSM on the production performance, immune system, intestinal morphology and microbiota composition of laying hens were investigated. Furthermore, the enrichment of FCSM for characteristic nutrient metabolites and key pathway

SUBMITTER: Xu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12497634 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature