Optimizing growth: Effects of pellet binder viscosity and protease-enriched drinking water on the performance of

Pellet quality is a key factor influencing poultry growth performance. The use of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a pellet binder and protease enzyme supplementation via drinking water may improve nutrient availability and digestive efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with varying viscosities and protease enzyme supplementation via drinking water on growth performance in IPB-D1 chicks (n = 250) with five dietary treatments in a Completely Randomized Design (5 replicates of 10 chicks each). Treatment included: a control diet (C0P0), a diet containing 0.5% CMC with a viscosity of 1000–2500 cps (C1P0), the same CMC level and viscosity with 10 mg/L protease enzyme in drinking water (C1P1), a diet containing 0.5% CMC with a viscosity of 2500–4000 cps (C2P0), and the same CMC level and viscosity with 10 mg/L protease enzyme in drinking water (C2P1). Growth performance parameters evaluated included feed intake, water intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and mortality. No significant differences (P>0.05) were found across treatments. However, descriptively, the combination of high-viscosity CMC and protease enzyme showed a tendency to improve growth efficiency. This suggests a potential synergistic effect worth further exploration in IPB-D1 chickens.