Effects of Fibrafid Supplementation in Standard and Nutrient-Reduced Diets on Growth Performance, Production Efficiency, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality, and Intestinal Morphology in Broilers

This study evaluated the effects of Fibrafid, a plant-based functional feed additive, on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and intestinal histomorphometry of broilers fed standard or moderately nutrient-reduced diets. A total of 432 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks (initial body weight, 44.9 ± 0.30 g) were randomly allocated to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement comprising two dietary nutrient densities (standard or diets with 1.5% lower metabolizable energy and 5% lower digestible amino acid density) and three Fibrafid inclusion levels (0, 1.5, or 2.5 kg/ton). Each treatment comprised six replicates of 12 birds (six males and six females) and was evaluated from day 1 to 24. Dietary nutrient reduction affected growth performance and breast meat quality pH and ultimate lightness values, whereas Fibrafid supplementation, particularly at 2.5 kg/ton, improved overall gain by 5.3%, grower-phase feed conversion ratio by 4.0%, EPEF by 8.08%, relative thymus weight by 64.8%, while reducing abdominal fat deposition by 27.1% relative to the unsupplemented control (p < 0.05). Several breast meat quality traits were also improved, including greater water-holding capacity and myofibril fragmentation index and lower drip and cooking losses (p < 0.05). Jejunal morphology was enhanced, as indicated by increased villus dimensions and goblet cell density (p < 0.05). Significant Diet × Fibrafid interactions were observed for grower performance, EPEF, overall feed intake, and several intestinal morphological variables (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Fibrafid supplementation, particularly at 2.5 kg/ton, was associated with improved growth performance, EPEF, selected carcass and breast meat quality traits, and jejunal morphology during the first 24 days of age. These findings suggest that Fibrafid may be a promising natural feed additive for broiler diets formulated at standard or moderately reduced nutrient densities. However, further studies extending to market age and evaluating nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbiota, blood biochemical indices, and economic returns are warranted to clarify its mechanisms and practical value under commercial production conditions.