title: Effect of zinc bacitracin and phytase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass and meat traits of broilers.
abstract: A total of 336 one-day-old Hubbard broiler chickens were randomly distributed among 8 groups, each containing six replicates (7 chickens/replicate). From 1 to 40 days of age, the groups fed the same starter, grower and finisher diets. The control group was unsupplemented; zinc bacitracin (ZnB) group received the antibiotic at 0.5 g/kg; fungal phytase (FP) groups received 250, 500 and 1000 U/kg diet of Aspergillus niger phytase (FP_250, FP_500 and FP_1000 groups), respectively; bacterial phyatse (BP) groups received 250, 500 and 1000 U/kg diet of Escherichia coli phytase (BP_250EP, BP_500EP and BP_1000EP groups) respectively. Considering the whole experimental period, body weight gain was unaffected by ZnB and different concentrations of bacterial and fungal phytase; however, the feed conversion ratio of the group fed a diet supplemented with 500 U of BP was better (p < 0.01) than those fed with a diet supplemented with 500 U of FP. BP_250 group had a higher (p < 0.05) apparent digestibility of ether extract compared to FP_250 group. In conclusion, bacterial phytase at 500 U may enhance performance of broiler chickens fed during days 1-40 of age and yield similar growth performance and economic efficiency to those of eB-supplemented groups.
authors.affiliation: Arid Land Agriculture Department, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Y A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Attia
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bovera
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Abd El-Hamid
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Tag El-Din
authors.affiliation: Arid Land Agriculture Department, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al-Harthi
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: El-Shafy
mesh_terms: D010832:6-Phytase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001234:Aspergillus niger / Q000201:enzymology; D001414:Bacitracin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004063:Digestion / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001414:Bacitracin; D010832:6-Phytase
keywords: broilers; growth performance; phytase; zinc bacitracin