Effect of diet and phytase on the performance and tibia ash of broilers exposed to a live coccidia oocyst vaccine
Academic Article
Overview
Research
Identity
Additional Document Info
Other
View All
Overview
abstract
Phytase has been extensively studied in broiler diets as a chelator of the antinutrient phytate. Phytase may improve Ca, P, and AME and amino acid digestibility, and nutrient matrix values for phytase have been established. Dietary matrix values and phytase have not been evaluated in broilers exposed to an Eimeria challenge. A trial was conducted to evaluate 3 commercially available Escherichia coli 6-phytases, supplemented according to the manufacturer's matrix values, on the performance and bone ash of broilers exposed to a live coccidia oocyst vaccine. Broiler chicks were obtained, half were vaccinated (Coccivac B, Schering Plough, Kenilworth, NJ), and all were placed in battery brooders from d 0 to 21. Dietary treatments consisted of 3 diets [negative control (NC) 1, NC2, and NC3] differing in Ca, P, CP, or ME, each with 500 U/kg of phytase A, B, or C, respectively, and one positive control diet. Broiler growth performance was reduced in the NC diets. Phytase supplementation increased feed intake, and phytases A and B increased BW gain from d 0 to 21. Coccidia vaccination increased feed intake and BW gain from d 0 to 21. Phytase increased tibia ash by approximately 3% in both nonvaccinated and vaccinated broilers. In conclusion, supplementing phytase at commercial nutrient matrix recommendations improved broiler performance and bone ash. Coccidia vaccination did not have a negative impact on performance when diets were supplemented with phytase.
