Performance of starter broiler chickens fed diet supplemented with Smartchoice phytase enzyme

Abstract

Phytase is essential for enhancing nutritional value of feed and improving animal growth
performance and health. A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of Smartchoice
phytase enzyme supplementation in the diet of starter broiler chickens. A total of 150 Ross
strain broiler chicks were used for the study and allotted to five treatment groups of 30 birds
each. Each group was further divided into three replicates of 10 birds per replicate. Five isonitrogenous
(21.40% CP) and iso-caloric (2975.40 kcal/kg ME) dietary treatments were
compounded to contain 0g/100kg (T ), 10g/100kg (T ), 15g/100kg (T ), 20g/100kg (T ) and 1 2 3 4
25g/100kg (T ) of a commercial Smartchoice phytase enzyme preparation for 28 days in a 5
Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Feed and water were provided to the chicks adlibitum.
Daily feed intake and weekly body weight were measured. The result showed that the
daily feed intake and daily protein intake were not affected (P>0.05) by Smartchoice phytase
enzyme supplementation. Final live weight, daily weight gain and total weight gain were
significantly different among treatments. Protein efficiency ratio were significantly (P<0.05)
higher in T (2.10) than T (1.80) but similar to T (2.05), T (2.05) and T (1.96). Feed 1 5 2 3 4
conversion ratio was significantly (P<0.05) different in T5 (2.58) and T (2.02) but similar 1
(P>0.05) in T (2.02), T (2.28), T (2.31) and T (2.38). Mortality was lowest in T5. Total feed 1 2 3 4
cost per bird and daily feed cost per bird were not affected (P>0.05) by Smartchoice phytase
enzyme supplementation while cost per kg of feed and daily feed cost per bird were not
significantly (P>0.05) affected. The findings from this study showed that Smartchoice
phytase enzyme could be supplemented up to 20g per 100kg in the diet of starter broiler
chickens.