"Globally, the face of pig and poultry production is changing. The global emphasis on ethanol production has diverted significant proportions of grain away from animal production, thus increasing the cost of feed. This has forced the pig and poultry industries to scrutinise their production methods investigating alternative feed ingredients together with methods of improving productivity and efficiency in order to survive. This edited collection of papers is taken from a series of seminars that brought together some of the world's leading authorities in the field of pig and poultry nutrition and production. The fundamental theme is to address the interaction between nutrition and the gut ecosystem as a means to enhance health, performance and ultimately profitability. The importance of gut development and the intestinal ecosystem as a whole, and their impact on health and disease are covered in-depth. The roles of specific feed ingredients are also discussed. 'Gut efficiency: the key ingredient in pig and poultry production' is aimed at nutritionists and animal producers as well as students and researchers studying animal and applied biological sciences."

"Globally, the face of pig and poultry production is changing. The global emphasis on ethanol production has diverted significant proportions of grain away from animal production, thus increasing the cost of feed. This has forced the pig and poultry industries to scrutinise their production methods investigating alternative feed ingredients together with methods of improving productivity and efficiency in order to survive. This edited collection of papers is taken from a series of seminars that brought together some of the world's leading authorities in the field of pig and poultry nutrition and production. The fundamental theme is to address the interaction between nutrition and the gut ecosystem as a means to enhance health, performance and ultimately profitability. The importance of gut development and the intestinal ecosystem as a whole, and their impact on health and disease are covered in-depth. The roles of specific feed ingredients are also discussed. 'Gut efficiency: the key ingredient in pig and poultry production' is aimed at nutritionists and animal producers as well as students and researchers studying animal and applied biological sciences."

Native carbohydrate fractions of major dietary components in pig nutrition, such as dietary fiber, resistant starch and oligosaccharides in whole cereal grains or grain legumes appear to be appropriate to manipulate the porcine gut microbiota. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to evaluate effects of differences in carbohydrate composition of cereal grains, grain legumes and feed supplements on the intestinal microbiota in pigs. Based on a comprehensive literature research, an overview on the current research on the effect of whole grain cereals and grain legumes as well as their by-products on the pigs’ intestinal microbiota in relation to their carbohydrate composition was given. An in vivo experiment was carried out to determine the effects of 8 recently introduced genotypes of barley or wheat on ileal and fecal microbiota of grower pigs by means of quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, in a second experiment the effect of ultra-fine ground fibers from wheat, lupins and peas in comparison to inulin and basal substrates on the microbiota composition and formation of microbial metabolites was determined in vitro using the modified Hohenheim Gas Test. In agreement with previous studies, the potential to modulate the pigs’ intestinal microbiota with cereal grains and feed supplements based on cereal grain or grain legume fibers was shown. However, it was not possible to assign the observed effects on the bacterial groups to the dietary carbohydrates known to influence the intestinal microbiota, such as arabinoxylan or β-glucan.

Livestock production is changing worldwide. Amongst the changes are those instigated by legislation such as restrictions on antibiotics and antibiotic growth promoters, well fare regulations, etc., all forcing livestock producers to adapt to new husbandry, management, nutrition and healthcare techniques. Food safety is an explosive political issue. The expectations and demands of the informed consumer have altered perceptions of risk and brought food safety to the very front and centre of politics. The gastrointestinal tract is essential in the maintenance of health, wellbeing and production in livestock. The above changes impact feed formulation. The industry looks for alternatives to maintain intestinal health and maximise animal performance, whilst complying with increasingly stringent legislation. This requires a good understanding of the physiological processes involved. In this book, the current knowledge in the major monogastric production species (pigs and chicken) is reviewed by renowned experts in the field. It describes infectious and non-infectious challenges as well as the complex interaction between innate, cellular and humoral immunity and performance. The problems that this complexity poses concerning the identification of important factors for intestinal health are discussed. 'Intestinal health' also reviews promising new approaches such as the use and development of validated biomarkers, and the application of omics techniques and systems biology.

Animal production is constantly changing. Over recent years, feed costs have increased significantly. Furthermore, today more emphasis is being placed on the health and welfare of production animals and birds, and in particular to the risk of zoonoses and potential food scares. The pig and poultry industries must now address not only the costs and efficiency of production, but also the impact of health and disease to both animals and the consumer. This edited collection of papers is taken from a series of seminars that brought together some of the world's leading authorities in the field of pig and poultry nutrition, health and production. The fundamental theme is to address the issues of nutrition and health, and in particular to cover the interactions and potential conflicts between the two. The importance of digestive function and the influence of nutrition on health and disease are covered in-depth. Strategies to combat salmonella and mycotoxins are also discussed. 'Formula for the future: nutrition or pathology' is aimed at nutritionists, veterinarians and animal producers as well as students and researchers studying animal and applied biological sciences.

Bringing together international expertise in rabbit production, topics covered in this fully updated volume include digestive physiology, feed formulation and product quality, as well as feeding strategies, feed processing, feed management around weaning and the relationship between nutrition and intestinal health. Brand new to this edition, the chapters also discuss the development of immune response and the role of intestinal microbiota, new dietary sources and additives, and feeding behaviour in pasture and organic feeding. A valuable resource for researchers and students of animal nutrition and production, this book provides a comprehensive, research-based review of nutrition for these important animals.