Effect of enzymes hydrolyzing non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) as feed additives in wheat-based laying hen diets

Two studies with laying hens were carried out from week 22 to week 42 of age to examine the effects of a xylanase-glucanase supplementation in a wheat diet for hens on laying performance, quantity of dirty eggs and digestibility of organic matter and protein. Experimental diets contained 60% wheat, or 55% wheat plus 5% wheat bran, or 50% wheat plus 10% wheat bran in Study 1 and 55% wheat plus 5% wheat bran in Study 2. In Study 1 an increasing content of NSP-constituents from Diet 1 to Diet 3 increased daily feed intakes per hen, and the feed conversion ratio reached a maximum in Diet 3. Feed consumption and feed efficiency were significantly affected by NSP-enzyme supplementation in both studies. Laying intensity and egg weight were not influenced by NSP-enzyme supplementation in both studies. The calculated daily egg mass production was dependent of the diet and not of enzyme supplementation. The quantities of dirty eggs were equal in all groups in every study. In the 2nd study the digestibility of the organic matter was equal between groups. The crude protein was digested from 88% to 91%.