Sunflower cake with or without enzymatic complex for broiler chickens feeding.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study was to evaluate the sunflower cake and enzymatic complex fed to broilers from 22 to 42 d of age. METHODS: In a completely randomized design, a total of 850 birds were allotted in a 2×5 factorial scheme (with and without enzymatic complex) and five inclusion levels (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) of sunflower cake. There were 5 replications and 17 birds in each experimental unit. Data from performance, carcass yield and intestinal morphology were evaluated. RESULTS: Feed intake, weight gain, final weight and feedgain ratio linearly worsened as sunflower cake increased. For weight gain, final weight and feedgain ratio, the birds whose diets contained levels of 15% and 20% of sunflower cake showed worse values (p<0.05) than the birds fed the control diet. When fed the enzymatic complex, birds improved (p<0.05) crypt depth and villuscrypt ratio in the jejunum. As inclusion levels of sunflower cake increased, villus depth and villuscrypt ratio in duodenum, jejunum and ileum linearly reduced and the crypt depth linearly increased. Carcass yield linearly reduced as sunflower cake increased. CONCLUSION: Based on performance, sunflower cake can be used up to 10% in broilers feeding from 21 to 42 days of age.