The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an enzymatic complex composed of protease, xylanase and amylase, associated or not to betaine in diets for broiler chickens on the performance of birds and economical analysis. It was used Cobb 500 male broiler chicks (924) at average initial weight of 45.8 g fed four diets, each one with seven replicates, in a completely randomized design. Each experimental unit had 33 birds. The diets were: control - corn and soybean meal- based rations; enzymes - rations added with enzymes (protease, xylanase and amylase); betaine - rations added with natural betaine; enzymes + betaine - rations added with enzymes and betaine. In the period from 1 to 7 days, the addition of enzymes or betaine into the rations did not influence performance traits. In the period from 1 to 21 days of age, birds fed diets with enzymes + betaine showed lower average feed intake when compared to those diets only with enzymes. However, average weight gain and feed conversion were similar. Diets with enzyme or betaine did not influence performance of the birds compared to control diet. Likewise, in the period from 1 to 35 days, performance of the birds fed diets with enzymes and betaine was similar to the control group. At 41 days of age, broilers fed diets with enzyme or betaine showed performance similar to the control group, so, the additives used had the expected effects. However, combination of the additives did not show the same efficiency. There was no significant influence of diets in the feed cost. Among the evaluated additives, only enzyme and betaine do not affect performance of the birds.
additive; nutrition; performance
