The effects of an enzyme complex in moderate and low nutrient-dense diets with dried distillers grains with solubles in laying hens

A study was conducted to examine the effects of an enzyme complex containing xylanase, amylase, and protease in moderate- and low-ME diets with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in laying hen diets. A total of 192 hens were fed 1 of 4 dietary treatments across phase 1 and 2 of the production cycle. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design, factors consisted of moderate ME (2,900 kcal/kg, phase 1; 2,880 kcal/kg, phase 2) or low ME (2,860 kcal/kg, phase 1; 2,800 kcal/kg, phase 2) and enzyme complex inclusion (0 or 0.0375%). All diets contained 15% DDGS and phytase included at 300 phytase units per kilogram and were formulated to contain 0.30% available P and a 10% reduction of Ca. Significant ME by time interactions were noted for egg production and feed intake at the conclusion of phase 1, showing diets containing low ME to be higher performing during a heat stress period. Significant effects on nutrient retention were also observed. Diets containing the enzyme complex had higher retention values for Ca, P, and CP across both phases and also had higher AME retention values for phase 1. Overall, no negative effects on lowering ME, Ca, and P were observed while supplementing with an enzyme complex.