Effect of enzyme supplementation of diets based on maize or hominy feed on performance and nutrient digestibility in broilers

Two experiments were conducted to determine the nutritional value of hominy feed and impact of an enzyme preparation in broiler chickens diets. In the first experiment, 480 one-day-old chickens were fed 6 experimental diets (treatments) from the day of hatching to 35 days of age with increasing quantities of hominy feed replacing 0, 50 and 100% of maize. The diets were fed with or without enzyme Supplementation. Each treatment consisted of 10 replications, 8 birds per replication. During the entire period, chickens from the group receiving maize had a lower (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) in comparison with other experimental groups. Body weight gains were also reduced (P<0.05) when maize was substituted by hominy feed. Addition of enzymes improved FCR (P<0.05). Experiment two was carried out using 120, 21-day-old Ross male chickens in 10 treatments, 12 birds per experimental group. Birds fed maize hominy diets had the lowest organic dry matter and N-free extractives apparent digestibility coefficient (P<0.05). Hominy diets also had a lower AME(N) value (P<0.05). Enzyme addition improved the apparent digestibility of all nutrients (P<0.05) except crude fat.