Effect of wet feeding and enzyme supplementation on performance and immune responses of broiler chicks

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of wet feeding and enzyme supplementation on performance, carcass traits, and immune responses of broiler chickens. Total of 280-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in factorial arrangement (2×2) in a completely randomized design with 4 dietary treatments and 5 replicates of 14 chickens. Dietary treatments were included of two forms of wet (1.5 kg added water to 1150 g diet) and dry diet as well as either enzyme (0.35 g/kg) or no enzyme addition to the wheat-based diet. Performance of chickens was evaluated through measurement of body weights (BWs) during day 4–44 of age, feed intake (FI), and weight gain (WG) were measured at the same period, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. In order to carcass measurements, two birds per pen were slaughtered at the end of rearing period. Antibody titer against Newcastle and influenza viruses and sheep red blood cells was determined to evaluate the immune responses. BW, WG, and FI of broilers insignificantly increased by wet feeding (P>0.05). Heart, liver, and gizzard relative weights were significantly influenced via feeding diet in wet form (P<0.05). Digestive tract parameters include of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum weights were markedly decreased by enzyme inclusion (P<0.05). None of the immune-related parameters were statistically different among treatments. As conclusion, the results of the present trial shows that wet feeding can affect performance, moreover enzyme inclusion might influence some digestive organs of broilers.