The Effects of Processing and Phytase on Performance and Phosphorus Digestibility in Broilers

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of type of feed processing and type of phytase enzyme on growth performance, calcium, phosphorus tibia and toe ash ,fecal and ileal digestibility of phosphorus in broiler chickens. A total of 420 broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely random design in the a 2×3 factorial arrangement using two processing methods (pellet and mash) and three groups of enzyme (negative control, natuphos (Aspergillus niger) and Meriphase (E.coli). The experiment lasted up to 42 days of age. Levels of enzymes used in the experiment were 500FTU kg. The results showed that pelleting diet significantly increase the average daily feed intake, body weight and significantly improved feed conversion ratio (P< 0.05) in all of growing periods. Meriphase increased the average daily feed intake (0 to 42 days) and body weight (21, 42 days) compared to natuphos (P< 0.05). Pellet processing caused the reduction of tibia ash percent (42 days of old) and increase in calcium level in tibia ash (P< 0.05). Meriphase increased, toe ash (21 days) compared to the control group (P< 0.05). whereas there was no significant difference between the Meriphase and Natuphos. Meriphase increased digestibility of fecal phosphorus compared to control also increased the digestibility of ileal phosphorus compared with the control group and Natuphos (P< 0.05).The effect of enzymes on the tibia ash, calcium tibia ash and toe ash (42 days) was not significant. In general, pellet improved the performance and increased calcium tibia ash of broilers (42 days). Meriphase increased toe ash (21 days) compared to the control group. Meriphase increased digestibility of fecal phosphorus compared to control and increased digestibility of ileal phosphorus compared to the control and Natuphos groups.