The Effect of Triticale and Enzyme in Finisher Diet on Performance, Gut Morphology and Blood Chemistry of Broiler Chickens

A completely randomized design experiment with 5x2 factorial arrangement was used to study the performance of broiler chickens fed diets with five different levels of triticale (0, 19, 36, 57 and 75%), with/without exogenous enzyme during finishing period. Each diet fed to five groups of ten male birds each. All birds fed similar commercial starter and grower diets up to 25 days of age. The experimental diets were isocalric and isonitrogenous and fed ad-libitum from 25-42 days of age. Similar weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion observed in birds fed control or diets contained up to 75% triticale. The exogenous enzyme supplementation did not significantly affect broiler performance. Relative weight of small intestine, large intestine and pancreas and gut chyme viscosity significantly increased with increase in level of triticale in diet when measured at 42 days of age whereas the highest values observed in birds fed highest level of triticale in soy based diet and the lowest values observed in birds fed with corn-soy based diet. Enzyme supplementation of diets caused a significant reduction in the intestinal and pancreas relative weights and gut viscosity. The jejunam villus of birds fed diet contained 75% triticale was significantly (p<0.05) shortened and thickened as compared to those fed control diet. Triticale seems to lower serum HDL in chickens.