Performance of Broilers Fed on High or Low Fibre Diets Supplemented with Digestive Enzymes

Abstract

Swain, B.K., Johri, T.S., Shrivastav, A.K and Majumdar, S. 1996. Performance of broilers fed on high or low fibre diets supplemented with digestive enzymes. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 10: 95–102.

A study was conducted with broilers to find out the effect of supplementation of digestive enzymes (0.0, 1.0, 1.5 kg, 1 g = amylase—7,500 units, cellulose—400 units, pectinase—200 units, protease—1000 units and lipase—300 units) to low and high fibre diets having autoclaved or unautoclaved ricebran, wheatbran and sunflower cake on their performance in a 4x3 factorial experiment. Maximum growth and best feed efficiency was observed when LF diet with autoclaved RB was supplemented with 1.5 g enzyme feed supplement. Similarly, addition of 1.0 and 1.5 g enzyme feed supplement in HF diet containing autoclaved RB, WB and SC supported significantly higher growth and better feed efficiency. Addition of enzyme feed supplement caused increase in ME contents of diets and reduction in the retention of fat (P>0.05). Supplementation of broilers ration with this enzyme feed supplement at the level of 1.5 g enzyme/kg feed has been recommended.

Key words:

• Fibre
• digestive enzymes
• metabolizable energy cholesterol
• broilers