Estimation of Nutrient Equivalency Values of Natuzyme and Its Effects on Broiler Chick Performance

Two experiments were carried out to estimate nutrient equivalency of a commercial multi-enzyme (Natuzyme) and its effects on broiler chick performance. Experiment 1 was carried out using a completely randomized design to evaluate the response of chicks to Natuzyme (with different equivalency values assigned by the producer) in corn-soybean meal-based diets. Dietary treatments 1 and 6 were negative and positive controls, respectively. Diets 2 through 5 were graded levels of nutrient equivalency values of Natuzyme. Each diet was offered to 5 replicates of 16 chicks (n = 480). In experiment 2, a total of 480 male Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design. Treatment 1 to 4 varied in ME, CP, and nonphytate P content, but in all cases, the ratio between these nutrients remained constant, and treatments 5 to 8 included graded levels of Natuzyme from 0.1 to 0.4 g/kg. Results of experiment 1 show that multi-enzyme supplementation could not restore chick performance to the levels equal to positive control. Equivalency values of Natuzyme for ME, nonphytate P, and CP obtained were 195,180 kcal/kg and 188.45 and 1,170%, respectively. As obtained in the first experiment, performance of chicks in the second experiment showed that Natuzyme did not liberate nutrient equivalency values recommended by the producer for broiler chicks when fed corn-soybean meal-based diets.