• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.755-768
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• 1998

Nitrogen and phosphorus are major nutrients in animal feeds which partially remain in the environment as pollution. In addition, nitrogen and phosphorus along with energy are the main nutrients which determine the feed cost. Any decreases in the levels of these three nutrients can contribute to reducing the pollution problem as well as the cost of feed. The nutrient requirements for chickens in the work here reported should allow for the addition of mixed enzymes (phytases, proteases, glucanases, xylanases and others). Such minimal levels of crude protein in the research results which are here reported are 16% for 0-6 weeks of age, 13.5% for 7-12 weeks of age, 11.5% for 13-18 weeks of age for layer type chicks, 13% for layer, 18% for 0-3 weeks of age broiler and 16.5% for 4-7 weeks of age broiler. These research projects have been done without adding enzyme supplements to their experimental diets. The minimal values of phosphorus, shown as available phosphorus, are 0.25% for pullets, 0.09% for layers and 0.25% for broilers with the addition of phytase. The minimum energy requirement (metabolizable energy) for reducing the feed cost could be summarized as 2,750 kcal per kg feed for pullets, 2,800 kcal for layers and 2,700 kcal for broilers.

• ANNALS OF ANIMAL RESOURCE SCIENCES
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.97-107
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• 2017

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut health of broiler chickens when a dietary supplementation of multienzymes was added to diets, containing different energy levels. A total of 480 broiler chickens of similar body weight (Ross 308, 1-day-old) were randomly subjected to four treatments. The dietary treatments included a corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with: multienzyme (amylase+protease+ mannanase+xylanase+phytase), 0.05% enzyme, and different energy levels (3010 and 3060 kcal/kg). The experimental diets were fed to the chicks in a mash form for 35 days in two phases (1-21 d, phase I; and 22-35 d, phase II). During the overall period, chicks fed with diets supplemented with multienzymes had a better weight gain (p<0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed with diets without enzymes. There was no difference in the growth rate and FCR among the chicks fed with diets supplemented with enzymes, even though the dietary energy levels were different. The apparent fecal and ileal digestibility of dry matter, gross, crude protein, calcium, and phosphorus were significantly enhanced (p<0.05). The population of cecal and ileal Lactobacillus spp. was significantly increased (p<0.05), and Clostridium spp. and coliforms were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in diets supplemented with enzymes. Villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the small intestine was also significantly enhanced (p<0.05) in diets supplemented with enzymes. In conclusion, multienzyme supplementation had positive effects on the weight gain of broilers, FCR, digestibility of nutrients, and on the growth of intestinal microbiota.