Effect of NSP Enzymes Supplementation to Low Energy Corn Soybean Meal Based Diets on Performance and Egg Quality in Laying Hens

A study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementing NSP enzymes to low calorie corn soybean meal based diets on performance, egg quality and nutrient utilization in layers. Layers (n=150) of 40 weeks old were randomly allocated to 5 dietary groupsviz. standard diet (2600 kcal ME/kg) (SD) and two low energy diets (LE₁, 2400 and LE₂, 2300 kcal ME/kg) with and without supplementation of NSP enzyme complex (xylanase, 60000, cellulase, 400 and β -D glucanase 3200 IU/kg feed). Feed was offered ad libitum to layers for three periods of 28 days each. Addition of NSP enzymes improved (P<0.01) egg production, while no interaction of energy and NSP enzymes was observed. No effect of dietary energy or NSP enzymes was observed on feed intake, weight gain changes, tibia ash, intestinal pH and E.coli count in intestines. Similarly no effect was found on egg quality characters. Irrespective of dietary energy, supplementing NSP enzymes increased (P<0.01) DM, CP, CF and ether extract retentions. The intestinal viscosity was higher on LE₂ diet and reduced (P<0.01) with NSP enzymes. The feed cost per dozen eggs increased by 5.13% on lower energy diet compared to SD. The results indicated that NSP enzymes supplementation to low energy diets was beneficial in layers in terms of production, nutrient retention and feed cost.