Effect of Triticale Replacement and Enzyme Supplementation on Performance and Blood Chemistry of Broiler Chickens

A factorial design experiment was conducted to study the performance of broiler chickens fed five different levels of triticale replaced for corn (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%), in a corn-soy based diet with/without exogenous enzyme supplementation. Each treatment diet fed to four groups of ten male birds each. The starter, grower and/or finisher diets were isocalric and isonitrogenous and fed ad libitum from 4-10, 11-28 and 29-42 days of age, respectively. Similar weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion observed in birds fed control or diets contained up to 75% triticale replaced for corn. However, the average daily feed intake and feed conversion were increased when 100% of corn was replaced with triticale during 4-42 days of age (p<0.01). The exogenous enzyme supplementation did not affect broiler performance. Gizzard and small intestine weights increased with an increase in triticale in diet when measured at 18 and 42 days of age. This study revealed that diets containing up to 40% triticale (or 75% of corn replacement) had no negative effect on broiler performance. Whereas chickens blood serum cholesterol and HDL were elevated when fed enzyme supplemented corn or triticale-soy diets.