A trial was carriedto verify the effect of increasing levels (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%) of canolameal in diets of broiler chickens, on performance and mucous morphology, duringthe starting period (1 - 21 days). 1,000 male chicks one-day-old were used,distributed in a randomized experimental assay, with five treatments, four replicatesand 50 birds per experimental unit. At the 1st, 21st and41st days, the birds and the rations were weighed and at the 21stday two birds of each experimental unit were sacrificed for collection of aduodenum segment for evaluation of intestinal morphometry. The results demonstratedthat increasing levels of canola meal induced to a linear reduction in weightgain, weight and feed intake and worst feed conversion. During the growing period(21 to 41 days), in which all of the birds received similar diet, a decreasewas observed in the weight and weight gain, with the increase of the levelsof canola meal, while parameters feed conversion and feed intake were similar.Data regarding mucous morphology, submitted to the regression analysis, demonstratedthat there was increase in crypt depth in accordance of increasing levels ofcanola meal. It is possible to include up to 20% of canola meal without damageson broiler performance and in the digestive tract.
