Corncob-Based Diet With Enzyme Blend Improves Body Weight, Feed Efficiency and Breast Yield of Sasso Broiler Chickens.

From the paper

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Owing to the high cost of grains and protein, poultry nutritionists need to consider alternative feed sources from non-conventional, agro-industrial by-products to feed poultry.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of ground corncobs (GCC) with additives as an alternative fibre source for broiler diet.

METHODS: Three hundred sixty 3-week-old dual-purpose chicks (Sasso X44) were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments, having 6 replicates with 15 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Four experimental diets were formulated: C0 (Control/Basal diet), C1 (10% GCC), C2 (10% GCC diet with 0.05% multi-blend enzyme), C3 (10% GCC diet with 0.5% flaked oyster mushroom, FOM).

RESULTS: At the end of the experimental period, it was revealed that apart from blood platelet counts, which were significantly low (p 0.05) on haematological parameters. Birds fed the C0, C2 and C3 diets were more efficient (p 0.05).

CONCLUSION: It is therefore beneficial to supplement corncob diets with multi-blend enzymes and flaked oyster mushrooms since their inclusion did not have any negative influence on the blood parameters, in addition to improving feed efficiency and body weight.