Visceral organ weight of broiler chicken fed different level protein and protease enzyme supplementation diet

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of protein and protease enzyme supplementation on the visceral organ weight of broiler chickens. A total of 24 day-old Lohmann broiler chicks were taken from 120 chickens which have been reared previously since the day old chicks. The experiments were conducted in 2x2 factorial design, with two treatments and three replication, to determine the effects of adding protease enzyme (0 HUT/kg and 12500 HUT/kg) and different crude protein levels (19.5% and 22%) on the visceral organ weight (liver, gall bladder, pancreas, and heart). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and continued with the Duncan multiple range test. Results showed that all the treatments whether protein levels or enzyme addition did not affect significantly the organs weight. Further, there was no significant interaction between protein levels and enzyme addition in all organs weight except the pancreas weight has shown a significant interaction (P<0.01) between the protein levels and enzyme addition. Although the levels of the crude protein could influence the broiler performance as well as the visceral organs weight, protease addition has alleviated the negative effects of protein reduction on the visceral organ weight. Therefore, in conclusion, protease addition can be used safely with low protein levels without any adverse effects on the visceral organ weight of broiler chickens.