Phytase supplementation improved P utilisation of the laying hens fed barley - oats - soybean meal based diets

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of Quantum Blue phytase on P utilisation and bone parameter in laying hens fed barley, oat and soybean meal based diets. Over a period of 40 days 64 laying hens (from 29 weeks of age) were distributed to 4 treatments (8 cages, two birds each). Experimental diets with no inorganic P added were supplemented with 0, 150, 300 or 1200 FTU phytase/kg. After 28 days of adaptation excreta collection was done for 5 days. Tibia bones were collected after slaughter for breaking strength and mineralization analysis. The average laying rate of the hens was 94.7%. Phytase supplementations improved P utilisation compared to that of the control layers with differences for layers fed 150 and 1200 FTU/kg being significant (+0.03g/d; p<0.05). Total tibia ash of the control layers was improved by all phytase application rates (+0.27 to +0.34 g/bone; p<0.05). Bone breaking strength was greater in layers fed phytase but significantly different between birds fed NC and 1200 FTU phytase /kg feed only (+ 81.5 Nm, p<0.05). The phytase tested improved P utilisation and bone parameter of the laying hens, with differences seen more distinct in bone parameter.