Effect of Xylanase Supplementation and Particle-Size on Performance of Guinea Fowl Broilers Fed Wheat-Based Diets

Abstract: The effect of xylanase enzyme supplementation and particle-size in wheat (Triticum durum)-based diets was studied in guinea broilers from 29 to 91 days of age. Weekly body weight, gain, feed consumption and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were determined. Was formed 4 groups, each fed: diet A (ground wheat with enzyme); diet B (ground wheat without enzyme); diet C (ground wheat passed through 3 mm sieve, pelleted and after crumbled with enzyme): diet D (crumbled wheat without enzyme). The highest body weights values were recorded by guinea fowls fed diet C. Birds fed diet B have shown low mean values of body weight. Subjects fed diet C were obtained values of mean body weight different (p0.05) respect to subjects fed both unsupplemented diets. Between two diets containing xylanase, even if prepared with different method, weren’t recorded differences (p0.05), even if subjects fed crumbled diets show an increase of body weight in comparison to subjects that received ground diets. Body weight gain of guinea broilers fed diet A and diet B were recorded high values, with differences (p0.05) in birds fed supplemented diets. These differences weren’t observed between birds fed diets B and D. Feed consumption showed that birds fed diets A and B consume an higher amount of feed (p0.05) compared to the diets C and D, regardless the supplementation of xylanase. Within every typology of diet (ground versus crumbled) aren’t recorded differences (p0.05) for the presence or not of enzyme, even if between crumbled diets, supplementation however has reduced feed consumptions. FCR of every diets shown’t differences (p0.05) among them, with values in guinea broilers fed supplemented diets similar to data recorded in birds fed unsupplemented diets. The supplementation of xylanase in a crumbled wheat-based diet improved the growth performance of guinea fowl broilers.