Xylanase and β-glucanase in diets for Japanese laying quails

The rations of monogastric animals in Brazil are composed of corn and soybean meal. Among the obstacles to the use of cereal grains in diets is the presence of non-starch polysaccharides, constituents of low digestibility, undigested by poultry. Thus, it is important to study non-conventional ingredients and the use of additives, such as enzymes in animal feed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity and metabolism of Japanese laying quails fed with corn or sorghum feeds containing or not xylanase and beta-glucanase. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2x2 factorial scheme, with four treatments, with five replicates and seven birds each, to 140 animals. The treatments were: 1) ration based on soybean meal and maize (RSMM); 2) RSMM with enzymes; 3) ration based on soybean meal and sorghum (RSMS) and 4) RSMS with enzymes. The evaluated variables were: zootechnical performance; metabolizable rations and excreta; quality and oxidative process of eggs; biometrics of organs and serum biochemistry. There was no significant interaction between the factors (ingredients x enzymes) for all evaluated characteristics. The rations did not cause changes in the productive variables, metabolizable, egg quality, biometry of the gastrointestinal tract organs and femur of Japanese laying quails. The total egg mass was higher in the different rations with enzymatic use. Serum calcium and phosphate concentrations were higher in the RSMM and RSMM with enzymes, however, the Ca:P ratios remained, indicating a metabolic normality condition in the Japanese quails from 26 to 35 weeks of age.