Influence of cellulase supplementation on the performance of broilers fed low energy diet

Abstract

The effects of different levels of cellulase supplementation viz., 0.03 and 0.06 per cent in low energy broiler ration on production performance and nutrient availability in broiler chicken were evaluated using one hundred and ninety two commercial one-day old broiler chicks for a period of eight weeks. The birds were divided into four dietary treatment groups viz., standard broiler ration (T1), low energy ration (T2), low energy ration with 0.03 per cent cellulase (T3) and low energy ration with 0.06 per cent cellulase (T4). Standard broiler ration was formulated as per BIS (1992) specification for broiler chicken feed. Inclusion of wheat bran and deoiled rice bran was made to formulate the low energy ration. The enzyme supplemented groups showed a significantly higher body weight than the standard and low energy diet without enzyme. The feed intake was significantly higher in the low energy ration without enzyme. A positive response was observed in feed efficiency by enzyme addition which was statistically significant. The feed efficiency was best when the level of enzyme was 0.06 per cent. A non-significant improvement was noticed in digestibility of dry matter, protein and ether extract due to enzyme supplementation. A significantly higher metabolisable energy and crude fibre digestibility was observed in enzyme added groups. The enzyme treatment significantly reduced the

moisture content of the excreta. The processing yields and abdominal fat percentage did not show any significant difference among treatments. The intestinal viscosity was significantly lower in birds fed enzyme supplemented diets. Cost of production of broilers in both the cellulase supplemented groups was lower when compared with other groups fed standard control and low energy ration without enzyme. Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that cellulase supplementation in low energy diet is beneficial especially when low energy, less digestible agricultural by-products are used as feed ingredients in the chicken diet.