Enzyme supplementation on performance of broilers

Major challenge before the animal nutritionist is to minimize the feed cost without compromising the quality of the feed to exploit the maximum genetic potential of the bird. The shortage in availability of feed ingredients for poultry production compels to utilise the alternative nutrient resources, which contain higher levels of anti nutritive factors (ANF) like non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and phytate phosphorus. These ANF is not utilised in poultry gut system due to lack of enzymes and also interfere with the normal digestion process of birds thereby reducing the availability of nutrients. Identifying the ways to overcome the ill-effects of the ANF and to beneficially utilise them are the needs of the hour. One of the most promising ways is use of enzymes. The use of enzyme preparations containing cellulase, hemicellulase and phytase are found to be helpful in enhancing the nutritive value of feed stuff with high NSPs and phytate phosphorus. The feed enzymes was improved the weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency in broilers. The digestibility and metabolizabililty of feed also increased by enzyme addition to broilers and the feed cost per kg weight gain was reduced.