Research Note: Corn energy and nutrient utilization by broilers as affected by geographic areas and carbohydrases

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Poultry Science
• Feed Additives

Background:

• Corn composition and origin significantly impact nutrient and energy utilization in broilers.
• Exogenous enzymes, such as carbohydrases, are widely used to enhance feed digestibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of exogenous carbohydrases on nutrient and energy utilization of corn with varying compositions and origins in broilers.
• To determine the impact of different carbohydrase supplements on the digestibility and energy values of corn-based diets.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments were conducted with Cobb 500 male chicks, utilizing factorial arrangements to test corn from different regions and endosperm compositions with various carbohydrase supplements.
• Diets contained 95.9% corn from day 14 to 24. Parameters measured included digestibility of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), ether extract (EE), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), apparent metabolizable energy (AME), nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AME_n), and jejunal starch digestibility.

Main Results:

• Corn from the North region showed higher AME, AME_n, and DM and N digestibility compared to corn from the South.
• Amylase supplementation increased AME by 3% and N digestibility by 2%.
• Semi-flint corn exhibited higher energy values and EE digestibility, while semi-dent corn showed superior N and starch digestibility. Combined amylase and xylanase supplementation improved AME_n by 2.5% and starch digestibility by 3%.

Conclusions:

• Broiler corn's energy and nutrient utilization are influenced by geographical origin and endosperm composition.
• Carbohydrase supplementation, particularly amylase and amylase + xylanase, significantly enhances nutrient and energy utilization in broiler diets.