The use of enzymes in low-ME wheat broiler diets: effects on AME and gut viscosity

Abstract

The effect of a non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzyme product (A vizyme, TX) on the performance of 4 week old broiler chickens fed wheats with high and low-AME values was studied. Supplementation with the enzyme increased the AME (MJ/kg dry matter) of a low-ME wheat from 12.02 to 14.94 and of a normal wheat from 14.52 to 14.83. This coincided with a significant fall in the digesta viscosity and marked increases in the apparent starch and protein digestibility in the small intestine. The performance of the birds fed the low-ME wheat with the enzyme was as good as those fed the maize control diet.