Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Lipid Utilizing Agents and NSP-degrading Enzymes on Performance of Layers

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplements viz., lipase, lecithin and NSP degrading enzymes on production performance and egg quality of layers. For the purpose, a cornsoybean meal-sunflower-groundnut extractions type control diet and three test diets by fortifying the control diet with either lipid utilizing agents (lipase- 100units + lecithin- 20 g/kg diet) or NSP degrading enzymes (xylanase-1250, β-glucanase-500, cellulase-250, pectinase-125 units/kg diet) or both were prepared. Each diet was offered to four groups of four laying hens (42 wks old, BV-300 birds) each for a period of 84 days. The results revealed that there was no significant (P<0.05) difference in cumulative average egg production, feed consumption and feed efficiency and egg characteristics such as shape index, albumen index, yolk index, yolk colour, Haugh unit score and shell thickness among different groups. However, egg weight was significantly (P>0.01) higher in groups fed diet supplemented with lipase and lecithin. The metabolizability of dry matter and organic matter of and retention of calcium and phosphorus remained similar (P>0.05) among different groups. The serum calcium and inorganic P levels were also comparable to each other at different intervals. It is concluded that the dietary supplementation of either lipase with lecithin or NSP degrading enzymes has no influence on production performance, nutrient utilization and egg quality of layers except egg weight.