Abstract
Abstract. A total of 420 21-day-old broilers were wing banded and randomly distributed among 60 cages of 7 birds per cage during days 21-37 of age. A factorial design (4×3) was used in which there were four feed forms (mash vs. pellet diet with diameter 2-2 mm, 2-3 mm and 3-3.5 mm, respectively) and three enzyme treatments (unsupplemented, phytase, phytase plus multi-enzyme). Each treatment was replicated 5 times with 7 broilers per replicate. Body weight gain of broilers fed 2-3 mm-diet was significantly greater than that of those fed mash diet and 2-2 mm or 3-3.5 mm pellet-diet. Feed conversion ratio was the best in broilers fed 2-3 mm and 3-3.5 mm pellet-diets. However, feed intake was significantly lower in broilers fed pellet-diets than that of those fed the mash diet. The production index and economic efficiency were significantly higher in groups fed 2-3 mm pellet diameter compared to those fed 2-2 mm and 3-3.5 mm pellet diets. Digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and crude ash were significantly and similarly greater in groups fed pellet diets in comparison with those fed mash diet. Enzyme supplementations significantly and similarly increased growth and production index whereas improved feed conversion ratio and economic efficiency than the control group and this concurred with greater digestibility of crude protein, ether extract and crude ash. However, multi-enzymes plus phytase induced greater effect on the production and economic traits than phytase alone showing synergetic effects. Pellet diet at 2-3 mm supplemented with multi-enzyme plus phytase resulted in the highest performance and nutrient digestibility of broilers during day 20-37 d of age.
Highlights
The efficient use of feed is extremely important in broiler production
This study aimed to investigate the effect of phytase with or without multi-enzyme supplementation on performance, nutrient digestibility and economic traits of broilers fed mash or pellet diets with different diameter (2-2, 2-3 and 3-3.5 mm) during 21-37 days (d) of age
0.0001 0.0001 ns a,b,cMeans in the same column followed by different letters are significantly different at (P≤0.05), ns: not significant
Summary
The efficient use of feed is extremely important in broiler production. Investigations have to be continued to decrease cost of broiler production and improve broiler performance. Pellet feed has been shown to have the greatest potential to improve feed conversion ratio (FCR) and reduce cost compared to mash feed (Maiorka et al 2005, Salari et al 2006, Amerah et al 2008). These improvements have been associated with changes in nutrients, digestibility and less feed wastage (Amerah et al 2007). Tufarelli et al (2011) reported that live body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were greater in guinea fowls and pheasants fed 2 mm pellet diet than those of them fed 4 mm pellet diet. The best FCR observed in birds fed processed feeds compared to birds given mash feed, may be accounted for an increased available net energy because less activity is used for eating
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