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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of phytase supplementation on phosphorus utilization and performance in layer chicken
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1999) Sukumar, D; KAU; Jalaludeen, A
    The effect of three levels of phytase enzyme viz., 200, 300 and 400 units per kg in the low available phosphorus layer ration on phosphorus utilization and performance in egg type chicken was evaluated using one hundred and fifty White Leghorn strain cross pullets (ATHUL YA) of 21 weeks of age for a period of 20 weeks. The birds were divided into five dietary treatment groups viz., standard layer ration (T1), low available phosphorus layer ration (T2), low available phosphorus layer ration with 200, 300 and 400 units of phytase per kg feed (T3, T 4 and T5), respectively. Standard layer ration was formulated as per BIS specification for layer chicken. Initially, the ration with 0.3 per cent available phosphorus was formulated. By the addition of appropriate levels of dicalcium phosphate to this ration, diets with 0.5 per cent available phosphorus was formulated. A numerical improvement in per cent hen-day egg production was noticed among enzyme supplemented groups. However, the increase was not statistically significant. Daily feed intake per bird was significantly higher among birds fed with different levels of enzyme in low available phosphorus layer ration. Phytase supplementation did not have significant influence upon feed per dozen eggs. Body weight gain was not influenced by enzyme supplementation. Significantly higher egg weight was obtained for the groups fed low available phosphorus diets supplemented with varying levels of phytase. Phytase addition to low available phosphorus diets significantly improved egg specific gravity. Supplementation of phytase resulted in significant increase in egg shell weight. Mean shell thickness was significantly more among enzyme supplemented groups. Serum calcium levels of the enzyme supplemented groups registered significantly (p < 0.01) higher values whereas only numerical improvement could be noticed in serum inorganic phosphorus levels. Per cent tibial ash and phosphorus content were not influenced by phytase supplementation. Enzyme supplementation resulted In a numerical improvement In the bio-availability of calcium. Bio-availability of phosphorus was significantly more among enzyme supplemented groups as well as standard layer mash fed birds. Phosphorus excretion in the droppings (g/kg DM intake) was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced in the enzyme supplemented groups. The per cent survivability of laying hens was not affected by phytase inclusion. Cost of the feed per kg was lower in all the enzyme supplemented groups than the standard layer ration of this study. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that by the inclusion of 200 units per kg of phytase enzyme in layer diet, the available phosphorus level in the feed can be reduced to 0.3 per cent without affecting the over all performance. This also facilitates to reduce phosphorus excretion which is an eco-friendly factor in commercial layer operations.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of supplementation of dried bovine spleen in the diet of broiler chicken
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1999) Shibu, K V; KAU; Anitha, P
    An experiment was conducted to study the effects of dried bovine spleen at different level supplementation viz., 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 per cent in standard starter and finisher rations on production performance and the economics of broiler chicken, using one hundred and ninety two commercial day-old broiler chicks for a period of eight weeks. The birds were divided into four dietary treatment groups viz., standard broiler ration (T 1), standard broiler ration with 0.1 per cent dried bovine spleen (T 2), standard broiler ration with 0.15 per cent dried bovine spleen (T}) and standard broiler ration with 0.2 per cent dried bovine spleen (T4)' Standard broiler ration was formulated as per BIS (1992) specification for broiler chicken feed. The observations monitored throughout the experimental period were body weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, protein efficiency and livability. At the end of the experiment the blood parameters, dressed yield, ready-to-cook yield and organ weights of gizzard, heart, liver and spleen were also determined. The results showed that 0.1 per cent dried bovine spleen supplemented groups attained a higher body weight and 0.15 and 0.2 per cent dried bovine spleen supplemented groups attained a lower body weight than control but not significantly so. The feed intake was significantly higher for the standard diet fed group from fifth week onwards. A positive response was observed in feed efficiency by bovine spleen supplementation which was statistically significant. Upto six weeks the feed efficiency was best for the group fed diet supplemented with 0.1 per cent dried 11 bovine spleen, for the eight weeks period 0.2 per cent supplemented group had best feed efficiency. A significant improvement was noticed in protein efficiency due to bovine spleen supplementation. The blood values viz., Hb, PCV and ESR did not show any significant difference among treatments. The dressed yield, ready-to- cook yield and percentage organ weights were also not influenced by dietary treatments, but a numerical increase was noticed in ready-to-cook yield. Cost of. production of broilers in the bovine spleen supplemented groups was lower than control group and the lowest cost was in the group supplemented with 0.1 per cent bovine spleen. Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that bovine spleen supplementation in low level of 0.1 per cent in standard diet is beneficial in broiler reanng.