Efficacy of enzyme and yeast supplements on performance of broiler chicken fed high fiber diets

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of exogenous enzyme and yeast supplements on the performance, blood parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken fed high fiber diets. Broiler chicks (210) were distributed randomly into 5 groups of 3 replicates with 14 chicks each. Diets formulated comprised a control diet (6% crude fiber only) as T1, 8% crude fiber level supplemented with enzyme @ 200 g/tonne of feed as T2, 10% crude fiber level supplemented with enzyme @ 200 g/tonne of feed as T3, 8% crude fiber level supplemented with yeast @ 200 g/tonne of feed as T4, 10% crude fiber level supplemented with yeast @ 200 g/tonne of feed as T5. With respect to control (T1) there was a significant decrease in the body weight of birds in all other treatment groups except in T2 where a nonsignificant reduction was recorded. Similar trend was noticed in cumulative feed consumption with lowest feed intake in T5. The feed conversion ratio did not show any significant difference between T1 and T2, but in rest of the treatment groups it was deteriorated, when compared with the control. Poorest FCR was recorded in the group of birds fed diets containing 10 % crude fiber supplemented with yeast (T5). No significant differences were observed in the serum glucose and protein levels, but calcium, phosphorus, SGPT and SGOT levels were significantly increased amongst the groups fed high fiber diets. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in T3, T4 and T4 when compared with T1 and T2. Except for the gizzard weight, no significant effect was observed on the carcass characteristics of birds fed higher fiber levels when compared with the control.