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Abstract
1. Broilers fed on diets containing reconstituted wheat grew significantly more rapidly than those fed on raw wheat diets. The birds given enzyme-reconstituted wheat at 50% replacement of maize recorded the greatest body weight gain.
2. The addition of enzymes significantly reduced feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) over the raw wheat-based diets. Feed intake showed a decreasing trend as the amount of wheat increased in diets. FCR was significantly improved by reconstitution.
3. Nitrogen retention was improved by either reconstitution or enzyme supplementation in comparison to untreated wheat fed groups. In comparison to untreated wheat fed group the nitrogen retained per bird was improved by enzyme supplementation. Dry matter and gross energy metabolisability and AMEN (nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy) were increased significantly due to reconstitution.
4. The results of the present study suggest that the addition of feed enzymes to maize–wheat-based diets or the use of wheat reconstituted with or without enzymes were beneficial in improving the growth performance and nutrient utilisation in broiler chickens.