Effect of Microbial Enzyme Supplementation to Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) Meal Based Diets on Performance, Bone Mineral Parameters and Carcass Characteristics of Free Range Chickens during Nursery Phase

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to examine the possibility of utilizing toasted guar meal (GM) with microbial enzymes in the diets of Vanaraja chicken. During the experiment I, soybean meal control diet (SBCD) was formulated to contain 2600 ME kcal/kg and 20% protein. Basal diet (BD) was formulated to contain 20% GM with similar energy and protein. The GMBD was supplemented with five microbial enzymes independently and in combination. Each diet was fed ad libitum up to 42 days of age. Inclusion of GM depressed (P<0.01) the body weight gain (BWG) compared to the group fed SBCD. Supplementation of individual enzymes (except protease) or combination increased (P<0.01) BWG compared to GMBD groups. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) in groups fed GMBD with combination of enzymes was similar to SBCD fed group. During the experiment II, the GMBD was supplemented with three concentrations each of mannanase and xylanase, which was compared with the SBCD and GMBD. Inclusion of GM depressed (P<0.01) the BWG and FCR. However, enzyme supplementation to GMBD improved the BWG and FCR compared to the group fed GMBD. Supplementation of mannanase and xylanase (6000 and 3250 or 4875 U/kg; 4000 and 3250 U/kg, respectively) to GMBD improved performance, which was similar to SBCD fed birds. Based on the data, it is concluded that toasted GM could be included up to 20% diet without affecting body weight gain and feed efficiency in Vanaraja chicken by supplementing the diet with higher concentrations of mannanase and xylanase.