Responses of broiler chickens fed diets containing sunflower meal and wheat middlings pre-treated with enzymes

The effects of feeding diets containing sunflower and wheat middlings pre-treated with fibredegrading enzymes were investigated. Based on hatch body weight (BW), 288 Ross-708 male broiler chicks placed in cages (six birds/cage). Diets were: 1) positive control (PC), a maize–soybean control; 2) negative (NC), PC plus untreated meal (USM) (UWM); 3) four test which USM UWM replaced (TSM) (TWM) at 25% (NC25), 50% (NC50), 75% (NC75) 100% (NC100). pretreated feedstuffs mixed 1% FDE ratio 1:2 w/w for feedstuff:water incubated 24 hours 40 °C, oven-dried before feed preparation. formulated two phases (starter, 0–21 d) finisher (22–42 d). allocated completely randomized design (eight replicates per diet) birds had free access to water. Bodyweight (BW) intake (FI) monitored by phase, one bird cage was sacrificed days 21 42 samples. BW gain (BWG) NC up NC50 not different relative PC, but NC75 NC100 lower than throughout the study. On day 21, liver increased linearly 42, tibia length diameter decreased inclusion TSM TWM. In conclusion, TWM low levels did affect performance while high reduced broilers.