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Enzyme Supplementation of a Barley and Sunflower-Based Diet on Laying Hen Performance

Institut de Recerca I Tecnologia Agroalimentôries (IRTA), Department of animal Nutrition, Centre de Mas Bové, Apartat 415, 43280 Reus, Spain; Phone: (34) 77-343252; FAX: (34) 77-344055

Correspondence: Maria Francesch

A laying hen trial was performed to determine the effect of increasing levels of an enzyme preparation (Grindazym GP 5000) on productive parameters, egg quality, water consumption, and excreta quality of a barley and sunflower meal containing diet for laying hens. Six hundred and forth white Shaver 2000 caged laying hens received a 60% barley-20 sunflower meal diet with either 0, 0.5, 0.75, or 1.0 g enzyme/kg feed from 26 to 41 wk (four months in total). The commercial enzyme preparation contained 5,000 units/kg of ß-glucanase, 12,000 units/g of xylanase, and 10 units/g of pectinase. During the first four weeks, the highest dose of enzyme (1 g/kg feed) increased egg weight by more than 1 g, improved the percentage of eggs heavier than 60 g, and enzyme supplementation reduced the percentage of dirty eggs. Enzyme addition reduced water intake and the feed:water ratio. High doses of enzyme improved excreta quality. There were no significant differences in rate of lay, daily feed intake, and body weight gain due to enzyme addition.

Key Words: Barley • enzymes • laying hens • sunflower

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