Effect of Phytase Supplementation on the Performance of Broilers Fed Rice Bran-Based Diets

Abstract

The effect of phytase supplementation on the performance, dry matter intake(DMI) and total tract DM(TTDM) of broilers fed rice bran (RB)-based dietswere investigated. A total of 216, one-day-old Arbor Acrebroiler chickens (BC) were offered broiler starterdiettill day 20. The birds were fed experimental diets from day 21-28 after which feed consumption and body weight (BW) of the BC were recorded. On days 23, 24, 25 and 26 fresh excreta samples were collected at 24-hourly intervals and dried. The experiment had six replicates with six birds per replicate. Six semi-purified diets with 150, 300 and 450g/kgRB and 0 or 1000units of phytase (Natuphos) were formulated in a 3x2 factorial arrangement. Data were analysed using the general linear model of SAS. Orthogonal polynomial contrast was used to determine phytase and their interaction with RB with α0.05 as significant. Phytase supplementation improved the performance of the birds (p<0.05) and the inclusion levels of RB significantly (p<0.05) increased DMI. Rice bran and its interaction with phytase had no significant (p>0.05) effect on growth performance, DMI, and TTDM. Phytase increased (p<0.05) BW gain and DMI. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly improved at the inclusion rate of 150g/kg RB. Results suggest that supplementation of RB-based diets with microbial phytase improved growth performance and DMI in broiler chickens.