ABSTRACT
Two experiments were performed with the aim of evaluating the effect of inclusion of enzymatic complexes in starter diets containing classified corn or not on the productive performance of poultry and nutrient digestibility. In the performance test 1080 broilers were used, distribuited in a completely randomized design in a factorial 2 x 3 (classified corn or not and corn control diet, control diet plus enzyme complex, and control diet plus enzymes and reduction of 150kcal of ME) and consisting of six replicates and 36 experimental units. In the metabolism trial 96 21-day-old birds were used, housed in metal cages, distributed to six treatments with eight replicates of 48 experimental units. Diets supplemented with enzyme, regardless of the corn classification, resulted in higher (P<0.05) weight gain of birds at 21 days of age. The addition of enzymes in diets with classified corn improved (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio. The CDPB was higher (P<0.05) for diets formulated with classified corn, regardless of the supplementation of the enzyme complex, while the CDEE of not classified corn-based diets increased (P<0.05) when the enzymes were included. Diets formulated with classified corn plus commercial enzymatic complex, improved (P 0.05) the AME and AMEn. Exogenous enzymes may be employed as a tool to improve the digestibility of nutrients and energy of corn with nutritional variation.
Keywords:
metabolizable energy; NAPs; exogenous enzymes; amylase; weight gain