Efficacy of Phytase® Enzyme on the Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Broilers Fed Digitaria Iburua-Based Diet

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of phytase^® supplementation on the growth and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed Digitaria iburua (acha) diet. Two basal diets were formulated; maize-soybean and acha-soybean to serve as positive (T1) and negative (T2) control, respectively. The phytase^® enzyme (PHY) was supplemented into the acha diet at 250, 500 and 750mg/kg to constitute treatments 3, 4 and 5, respectively. 120, day-old Arbor-Acre broiler chicks were assigned to the five treatments with 24 birds (3 replicates of 8 birds each) and studied for 49 days under the deep litter system. Data were collected on the body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and mortality rate as well as carcass yield, prime cuts and organ weights. Significant (p<0.05) differences were observed in all growth parameters between dietary treatments. Final body weight, weight gains, feed intake and FCR improved with enzyme supplementation. Cost per kg gain and cost of feed consumed per bird were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by dietary treatments. PHY supplementation slightly improved the carcass yield (75.21 – 75.85%) of broilers. Apart from back and breast weight, other prime cuts showed no differences (p>0.05) between treatments. Relative organ weights (full gizzard, empty gizzard, proventriculus and oesophagus) were influenced (p<0.05) by dietary treatments. This study concludes that PHY supplementation into acha–based diet improved the growth performance of broiler chickens and optimum performance is achieved at 500mg PHY/kg of feed.