Performance and Nutrient Utilization Responses in Broilers Fed Phytase Supplemented Mash or Pelleted Corn-Soybean Meal-Based Diets

Abstract

Effect of phytase produced by thermo-protective coating technology (coated phytase) on performance and nutrient utilization of broiler chicks fed a corn-soybean meal-based pelleted diet was investigated. A total of 144-one-day-old male broiler (Ross) chicks were divided in 24 groups and fed 4 diets (6 groups per diet) for 21 days. The diets included a mash or pelleted basal diet without or with the coated phytase at 500FTU/kg in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Calcium and non-phytate P values in the basal diet were 22 and 51% lower compared with NRC (1994) recommended values, respectively. All the diets contained titanium oxide as an indigestible marker. There was no interaction (P>0.05) between diet form and phytase on any of response criteria measured in this study except body weight gain and feed intake such that phytase supplementation improved (P<0.05) these 2 response criteria, but improvements were greater for pelleted diet than mash diet. Phytase supplementation increased (P<0.05) tibia ash and ileal P digestibility, by 10.5 and 38.1%, respectively. Phytase supplementation did not, however, affect (P>0.05) the ileal digestibilities of Ca, crude protein and amino acids. In conclusion, coated phytase supplementation to corn-soybean meal-based diet for broilers resulted in improved growth performance, bone mineralization and P digestibility regardless of diet type (mash versus pellet). These findings suggest that the efficacy of the coated phytase used in the current study was not influenced by the pelleting process.

Keywords

• broiler
• digestibility
• pelleting
• performance
• thermostable-phytase