EFFECTS OF ENZYME SUPPLEMENTION OF LOW PROTEN DIETS ON NITROGEN ECONOMY, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND FEACAL MINERAL CONTENT OF LAYER HEN

Abstract

The study evaluated the effect of enzyme supplementation of low protein diet on nitrogen economy, nutrient retention and faecal mineral content of laying hens. Twenty (20) weeks old layer hen were randomly allotted to 13.5% protein diets whose methionine and lysine levels has been adjusted to meet the NRC (1994) requirements for laying hens with two enzymes and without enzyme supplementation. Enzyme A is a Non-Starch Polysaccharide (NSP) degrading enzyme with some protease activities while Enzyme B is an NSP-degrading enzyme. The hens were divided into five (5) treatments groups containing enzyme A (0.1g/kg), enzyme A (0.2g/kg), enzyme B (0.1g/kg), enzyme B (0.2g/kg) and control diet without enzyme. Nitrogen economy, nutrient retention and faecal minerals i.e., calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium in (%) and manganese, iron, zinc and copper in (ppm), of experimental layers were evaluated. Nitrogen, fibre, crude fat and ash retention were significantly (p<0.05) higher while nitrogen output intensity and anthropogenic propensity were significantly (p<0.05) improved in the layers fed enzyme supplemented low protein diets compared to those in the control group. All minerals in the faeces of layer chicken fed enzyme supplemented diets were significantly affected (p<0.05) by treatment effect. The study concluded that enzymes supplementation of low protein diets holds promise for improving the environmental footprint in layers production.