Effect of Phytase Supplementation on the Performance of Broiler Chickens Fed Wheat Based Diets

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of phytase supplementation in wheat-based diets containing different levels of non-phytate phosphorus (NPP). Four experimental diets containing 0.50 per cent NPP, 0.30 per cent NPP, 0 30 per cent NPP+phytase and 0.50 per cent NPP+phytase were formulated using wheat as a major source of energy. Day-old broiler chicks (n=240) were allotted to four treatment groups with three replicates of 20 chicks in each. The dietary treatments were offered to birds during their starting (0–4 wks) and finishing (5–6 wks) phases. There was significant (P<0.05) depression in weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, retention of calcium and phosphorus, calcium and phosphorus levels in serum, tibia ash and its phosphorus level due to reduction of NPP from 0.05 to 0.30 per cent. There was no significant difference in retention of nitrogen and tibia calcium. However, retention of phosphorus improved significantly (P<0.05). Enzyme supplementation to low NPP (0.30%) diet significantly improved growth performance, retention of dry matter, calcium, phosphorus and level of calcium and phosphorus in serum and tibia ash. Howerver, the effects of the supplementation at high NPP (0.50%) level were not significant The results show that phytase supplementation in wheat based low NPP (0.30%) diet improved growth performance and mineral utilization in broiler chickens