1To whom correspondence should be addressed: Dr. Krishnamurthy. T. N., M.V. Sc, Ph.D. Research Associate Department of Poultry Science Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bangalore 560 024, INDIA Mobile: +91–94488 18725, Fax : +91–80-28565282, E-mail:
Department of Poultry Science Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bangalore 560 024, India.
*Part of M.V.Sc. thesis submitted by the first author
A biological trial was conducted on Babcock strain of commercial layers aged 28 weeks to evaluate the effects of varying dietary levels of sunflower meal (SFM) with and without enzyme supplementation on performance. The trial had 6 dietary treatments viz., 10%, 20% and 30% SFM with and without supplementation of enzyme (pentosanase, protease, cellulase, a-galactosidase and amylase) at 1 Kg/ton, with a constant dietary level of 10% de-oiled rice bran. Each group had 4 replicates of 24 birds and the trial lasted for 3 periods of 28 days each. The increased level of SFM in the diet had significantly increased feed intake and decreased FCR. In the groups fed with enzymes the reduced feed intake and improved FCR was noticed. Increased dietary levels of SFM reduced the feed efficiency, where as enzyme supplementation significantly improved the feed efficiency. Intestinal viscosity and litter moisture was reduced with increased dietary levels of SFM and enzyme supplementation was able to bring down the litter moisture and intestinal viscosity in all treatment groups. The results suggest that, SFM can be included up to 30% level in the diet without any adverse effects on performance, and the enzyme supplementation improved the feed efficiency, intestinal health, and litter conditions.
sunflower meal, non-starch polysaccharides, enzymes, intestinal viscosity
