A metabolic trial was conducted on broilers to see the effect of supplementation of phyatse at four Ca:tP ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 1.4:1 and 2:1 on the utilisation of the nutrients. Eight wheat based diets were formulated with and without supplementation of phyatse. Ca:tP ratio were attained by varying the limestone powder and deoiled rice bran. Results indicated significant (P < 0.05) effect of phytase on the digestibility of nutrients at lower Ca:tP ratios. However, supplementation of phytase irrespective of the Ca: tP ratio significantly (P < 0.05) increased the utilisation of organic matter, crude fiber and the percent retention of calcium, phosphorus (P < 0.01) and nitrogen (P < 0.05). From the data it can be concluded that supplementation of 600 units of phytase/kg diet improve the nutrient utilisation at lower Ca: tP.
Phytase, broiler, nutrient digestibility
