Effect of Feeding Potato Peels and Sugar Beet Pulp With or Without Enzyme on Nutrient Digestibility, Intestinal Morphology, and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sugar beet pulp and potato peels, as agro-industrial byproducts, with and without enzyme supplementation on nutrient digestibility, gut morphology, and meat quality of broiler chickens. Broiler chicks (n=150) were randomly divided into five groups, each with 30 birds. Chicks in the first group were fed on the control diet. Birds in second and third groups were given diets containing potato peels and sugar beet pulp at a level of 15.0% and 7.5%, respectively, while those in the fourth and fifth groups were offered the same diets but with adding an enzyme mixture. Diets containing potato peels or sugar beet pulp did not (P > 0.05) affect the digestibility of ether extract, crude fiber, or crude protein. Feeding of potato peels did not (P > 0.05) affect the intestinal morphology during the starter or grower period. However, sugar beet pulp reduced (P < 0.05) the villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio during the starter period, but without any effect at the grower period. Generally, feeding of potato peels or sugar beet pulp did not (P > 0.05) affect the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the breast or thigh muscles. Supplementation of the enzyme to the diets increased (P < 0.05) digestibility of nutrients and improve the development of the small intestine. Also, the dietary enzyme inclusion increased (P < 0.05) the crude protein content and reducing the ether extract of the meat as well as increasing its water holding capacity with a reduction of the cooking loss rate. In conclusion, adding the enzyme to the diets containing potato peels or sugar beet pulp can enhance the digestion and absorption of nutrients as well as improve the meat quality of the broilers' carcass. Also, the tested byproducts can help in solving the problem of low availability and rising costs of traditional poultry feeds.