Response of broiler chickens to diets based on triticale and supplemented with microbial enzymes

Abstract

A total of 384 day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated to 8 dietary treatments, to examine the influence of supplementation xylanase and phytase, individually or in combination, in diets based on two cultivars of triticale (Bogong and Canobolas) on the growth response, visceral organ development as well as some physiological responses. The inclusion of phytase alone in either Bogong or Canobolas diets increased (p<0.01) feed intake and body weight while the inclusion of xylanase tended to increase (p=0.063) the feed intake to day 21. The ileal digestibility of crude protein, gross energy, starch, calcium and phosphorus was increased by the inclusion of phytase (p<0.01) and xylanase (p<0.05). There was an interaction (p<0.01) between xylanase and phytase on the digestibility of crude protein, gross energy, calcium and phosphorus. Ileal viscosity was significantly decreased (p<0.05) by the inclusion of xylanase and phytase individually or in combination. The relative weight of various visceral organs was affected to different degrees by grain type and enzyme supplementation. Enzyme supplementation of the diets proved to be beneficial, and such response was due to an improvement in digestibility.