Reduction of the nutritional values of diets for hens through supplementation with phytase (original) (raw)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of the reduction on nutritional levels of diets for semi-heavy hens during the laying peak on performance, egg quality and bone parameters. A total of eight diets were evaluated, each one with five repetitions of eight birds: 1) control: formulated to supply requirements by the birds; 2) control + 0.03% or 600 FTU; 3) 15% crude protein; 2,800 kcal ME; 3.8% Ca and 0.28% aP; 4) diet 3 + 0.03% or 600 FTU; 5) 14% crude protein; 2,750 kcal ME; 3.4% Ca and 0.23% aP; 6) diet 5 + 0.03% or 600 FTU; 7) 13% crude protein; 2,700 kcal ME; 3.0% Ca and 0.18% aP; and 8) diet 7 + 600 FTU. The reduction of the nutritional levels harmed the performance of the birds, particularly egg production and egg mass, which improved by the inclusion of phytase in the diets. However, the parameters for egg quality did not change as the level was reduced down to 15% crude protein; 2,800 kcal ME/kg; 3.80% Ca and 0.280% aP, which was not repeated in the levels with lo...