Dietary fibers

Dietary fibers are non-digestible or limited-digestible carbohydrate structures in feed that play an important role in intestinal health. In ruminants, fibers are largely fermented in the rumen, while in monogastric animals, fibers mainly affect gastrointestinal function, microbiota, and passage.

In animal feed, a distinction is made between structural fibers, which stimulate chewing activity and rumen function, and fermentable fibers, which support short-chain fatty acids and a favorable gut environment. A thoughtful use of dietary fibers contributes to feed intake, welfare, and resistance.