Broiler response model to estimate the economic importance of dietary feed enzymes

The purposes of this research were: 1) a bio-assay to evaluate the effects of 2 feed enzymes (Hostazym X) and Avizyme 1505) on the performance of Cobb broilers; and 2) to calculate the economic value from the technical response data. A broiler response model that includes benefits from improved performance and incorporates the expected changes in output from Hostazym X and Avizyme 1505 is presented. Each of the 4 diets 1) Basal (corn, dried grains with solubles, and soybean meal based diet with 1,360 kcal/lb), 2) Basal+ Hostazym X, 3) Basal+ Avizyme 1505, 4) Basal+30 kcal/lb] was fed to 8 pens of 24 straight run Cobb chicks. Supplementing the basal diet with either enzyme showed significant effects on growth and feed efficiency. Quadratic equations were fitted through the response points for 49 d broilers: Body weights and feed intakes were: Basal, 6.085, 11.446; Basal+ Hostazym X, 6.231, 11.359; Basal+ Avizyme 1505, 6.165, 11.288; Basal+30 kcal, 6.455lb, 11.535 lb, respectively. Target live weights were compared at 4, 6 and 8 lb, chicken prices at $0.68 and $1.0/lb and feed costs at $200 and $400/ton. The value of feed savings by adding Hostazym X ranged from $6.92/ton for 4.0 lb broilers fed $200 feed, to $17.52/ton for 8.0 lb broilers fed $400 feed. The value of extra meat by adding Hostazym X ranged from $21.19/ton for 6.0 lb broilers selling for $0.68/lb, to $32.76/ton for 8.0 lb broilers selling for $1.0/lb. The value of feed savings by adding Avizyme 1505 ranged from $5.58/ton for 4.0 lb broilers fed $200 feed, to $12.09/ton for 8.0 lb broilers fed $400 feed. The value of extra meat from AZ1 ranged from $16.97/ton for 6.0 lb broilers selling for $0.68/lb, to $24.95/ton for 8.0 lb broilers selling for $1.0/lb. The value of the extra salable meat from feeding enzymes is 2 to 3 times greater than feed savings. Enzyme value is directly dependent on the costs of feed and meat value, and indirectly on reduced environmental costs for feed production and reduced unutilized nutrients (pollution) per lb of meat (not included in this analysis).