Efficacy of β-mannanase (Hemicell®) in commercial laying hen diets

Abstract

            The study was conducted on 396 layers (Isa Brown, 47 weeks of age) randomly assigned into 132 experimental units according to a completely randomized design in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. There were 2 diets with a difference of 100 kcal ME/kg (a standard energy level-SEL: 2800 kcal ME/k and a low energy level-LEL: 2700 kcal ME/kg) and 3 dietary enzyme levels (0, 0.02 and 0.04% Hemicell). The experimental results showed that hens fed with the LEL diet with Hemicell for layers from 48 to 63 weeks of age would be beneficial as it resulted in the same reproductive performance and egg quality as the SEL diet without Hemicell.

Key words: β-mannanase, Hemicell, additive nutrients, commercial laying hens