Effect of Pectinase and Dried Citrus Pulp on Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Intestinal Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dried citrus pulp(0, 5, and 10%) and pectinase enzyme supplementation (0 and 2000 unit per kg) on feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, nutrient digestibility and the internal organ size of broiler chickens. A total of 240 one day old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in a factorial arrangement (2×3) based on a completely randomized design. Each of 6 dietary treatments was given to 4 replicate pens from 1 to 42 d of age. At the end of each phase (starter, grower and finisher) feed intake and body weight gain were measured and feed conversion ratio was calculated. At the end of the experiment (day 42) nutrient digestibility, digesta pH of gizzard and ileum and relative weight of internal organs were measured. The results showed that dietary supplementation with pectinase did not affect measured parameters throughout the experiment (p>0.05), whereas inclusion of dried citrus pulp linearly reduced (p≤0.05) the growth performance parameters, the digestibility of DM and CP as well as pH of digesta in gizzard during the experiment. No interaction effect was observed between pectinase and dried citrus pulp in any measured parameters (p>0.05). It is concluded that the dietary incorporation of 100 g/kg citrus pulp reduced nutrient digestibility and increased the size of gastrointestinal tract, and consequently decreased growth performance of broilers.