Sunflower cake with or without enzymatic complex for broiler chickens feeding

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 2x5 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 feed: gain ratio linearly worsened as sunflower cake increased. For weight gain, final weight and feed: gain 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 villus: crypt ratio in the jejunum. As inclusion levels of sunflower cake increased, villus depth and villus: crypt 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.