This study was conducted to examine effects of resistant starch (RS), compared to fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and zinc bacitracin (ZnB), on cecal short-chain fatty acids, cecal microflora intestinal morphology, and antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus in broilers. The experiment groups included the control group (basal diet with no additive; CON), four groups receiving different levels of RS type 2 (1, 2, 3, and 4% in basal diet; RS), a FOS group (0.4% of basal diet), and a ZnB group (50 mg/kg of basal diet). On day 35, the highest concentration of acetic, propionic, and butyric was found in the 4% RS, showing a significant difference from the CON as well as the FOS and the ZnB (P < 0.05). The greatest lactobacillus count was found the FOS (P < 0.05), and of the groups that received RS, the 4% RS had the greatest lactobacillus count. The smallest coliform count was found in the 3% and 4% RS groups (P < 0.05). In the duodenum and the jejunum, the largest villus height (VH) and the smallest crypt depth (CD) were found in the ZnB. Among the groups treated with RS, the 3% RS had the greatest VH and the smallest CD. The group that received FOS showed the greatest antibody titer on day 23, and of the groups treated with RS, the 4% RS had the greatest antibody titer showing a significant difference from the CON. The findings suggest that adding 3 and 4% RS or FOS to broiler’s feed may improve intestinal health. © Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2019.
