Effect of Various Levels of Barley and Multi Enzyme on Metabolizable Energy, Dry Matter and Protein Digestibility of Diets and Performance of Broiler Chicks

This experiment was carried out for a determination of metabolizable energy and the effect of the Grind multienzyme on in-vitro dry matter and protein digestibility in diets, and as well on performance of broiler chicks. A number of 800 day old unsexed Arbor Acres broilers were placed in 8 treatments and 4 replicates (25 chicks each). A completely Randomized Design (CRD) of a factorial arrangement (4×2), along with 4 levels of barley (0, 10, 20 and 30%) and 2 levels of enzyme, (0 and 500 g/ton) were modulated for a duration of 42 days. Apparent Metabolizable Energy (AME), the same factor (AME) corrected by nitrogen (AMEn), True Metabolizable Energy (TME), and true metabolizable energy corrected by nitrogen (TMEn) as well as digestibility of barley protein (based on dry matter) were recorded as 2886.6, 3015.8, 3624.2, 3205.5 kcal/kg and 57.95% respectively. Feed intake rate, in control treatment (2776.66g), was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in 10% barley (no enzyme containing), and 30% barley (enzyme containing). Body weight recorded for 0% barley treatment (2077.83g) was significantly higher than those for 20 and 30% treatments (p<0.05). The results finally indicate that 0 and 10% barley along with Grind enzyme supplementation treatments lead to desirable feed conversion ratio, increased body weight as well as improved growth rates.