Impact of Corn Steep Liquor and Enzose Mixture on Growth Performance of Chicks

Hubbard broiler chicks (n=200;1 day old) with an average weight of (38-40g) were selected for a 42-day trial. Birds were distributed randomly to 5 treatment groups with 4 replicates containing 10 chicks each according to a completely randomized design.

All the groups (A, B, C, D and E) were fed with iso-caloric and isonitrogenous broiler starter (metabolizable energy 2850 kcal/ kg; CP 20%) feed from day 1-22 and finisher (metabolizable energy 2880 kcal/ kg; crude protein 18%) feed from day 22-42 (Table I). Group A was kept on basal diet without CSL and Enzose (Table II). Group B, C, D and E were fed with basal diet respectively containing 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% CSL and Enzose mixture (50:50 ratio). The chemical profile of CSL is presented in (Table II). Initially a brooding temperature of 90°F was provided which gradually reduced at 5ºF per week untill it reaches to 75ºF. Feed and water were given ad libitum to all birds with standard managmental conditions.

C, Corn steep liquor; E, Enzose mixture. Group: A control CE0; B, CE3; C, CE6; D, CE9; E, CE12; Diets A, B, C, D, E were prepared by including 0, 3, 6, 9,12% corn steep liquor. Enzose (50:50 ratio), respectively. Vit. A (IU), Vit D3 150000 (IU), Vit. E 15000 (mg), Vit. 2000 K3 (mg), Vit. thiamine (B1) 1000 (mg), Vit. riboflavin (B2) 5000 (mg), Vit. pyridoxine (B6) 1500 mg, Vit. cobalmine (B12) 1500 (mg), Vit. folic acid (B9) 500 mg, pantothenic acid (B5) 8000 (mg), Vit. niacin (b3) 15000 (mg), choline chloride 150000 (mg), manganese 15000 (mg), zinc 45000 (mg), copper 25000 (mg), potassium 2000 (mg), iodine 2000 (mg), iron 45000 (mg).

Data for feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the birds were recorded every week throughout the experimental period (Table III). Three birds per replicate with in each treatment (12 birds/treatment) were randomly chosen and used for total tract digestibility measurement by including 1% (Celite®) insoluble ash as an external marker during the two broiler production stages i.e. starter (17-19 days of age) and finisher (37-39 days of age). The fecal samples were collected to perform proximate analysis for the estimation of crude protein, crude fat and crude fiber determination (AOAC, 2010).

(Product Reference Guide, 2010).

On day 42, two birds from each replicate within each treatment (8 birds per treatment) were randomly selected and weighed for the estimation of body weight and then slaughtered to measure the dressing percentage, thigh and breast meat yield and giblet organs weight. Dressing percentage and organ weights were calculated as:

Dressing percentage = dressed weight/live weight

Giblet organ weight= Weight of organ /100 g body weight

The recorded data for all parameters were statistically analyzed for analysis of variance under completely randomized design and differences in the means were compared by using Least Significant Difference (Steel et al., 1997) test. The statistical model used for all parameters was; Yij = µ + τj + εij. Where, µ was overall mean, τj was the effect of treatment (3 treatments) and εij was difference within treatments (error term).

The results showed highest feed intake in the birds of group B relative to control group (Table IV). Group C, D and E showed reduced feed intake. Statistical analysis revealed that broilers of group B exhibited a significantly greater weight gain as compared to other treatment groups (Table IV). Whereas, lowest weight gain was recorded in the birds of group E. A significant good feed conversion ratio was observed in the birds of group B as compared to control group A (Table IV). The results indicated that birds fed diet B (CE3) had a significantly higher dry matter, crude protein and ether extract digestibility relative to other treatment groups. However, values of crude fiber digestibility remained statistically non-significant (Table V) among the treatments. A significantly (P<0.05) higher dressing percentage was found for birds fed diet containing CE3 and CE6 followed by control group, whereas, diets CE9 and CE12 attained the lowest values regarding this trait. Data regarding relative weight of giblet organs (liver, heart, and gizzard, kidney, spleen) of broilers of all the groups showed a non-significant difference (Table V).

It is well documented that CSL is a potential source of unidentified growth factors and highly palatable and this may be plausible reason for increased feed intake in birds fed CSL and Enzose (Shen et al., 1970). Moreover, present results are aligned with the findings of Waldroup and Rutherford (1971) who observed improved feed intake in the birds fed with CSL. Furthermore, Ullah et al. (2018) reported highest feed intake in broiler fed a diet containing medium CSL. Birds fed a basal diet fortified with concentrated corn steep showed growth promotional effects as compared to birds fed feed without this component (Creger et al., 1962).

This increased weight gain might be due to fact that birds eat more feed and posed better digestion and absorption, consequently leading to better growth (Simon et al., 1960). Broilers gained more weight when given a diet fortified with 10% corn dried steep Waldroup et al. (1970). The unidentified growth factors in CSL might have helped in improving the body weight of bird (Camp et al., 1957).

Furthermore, Batal and Parsons (2004) reported that diets containing dextrose may be applied as an effective digestible energy source. In present research the best FCR in group B may be attributed to the stimulation of gastrointestinal activity (El-Hussein et al., 2008). A better effect on improved body weight and FCR, confirm that dried CSL and other corn-based product like, corn dried steep liquor concentrate, corn fermentation condensed soluble and fermented corn extractives may beneficially modulate bird’s growth (Waldroup et al., 1970). Similarly, to our finding’s improvement in the FCR was recorded at an inclusion level 25% and 20 %in hen and turkey, respectively (Waldroup and Rutherford, 1971).

In comparison to control group improved nutrient digestibility in CSL based diets could be due to availability

Table III. Growth performance of broilers during the starter (day 0-21) grower (day 22-42) and overall production period fed diets containing corn steep liquor (CSL) and enzose (Enz) mixture.

L, Linear; Q, Quadratic; C, Cubic; a, b, c, d column means for each effect with different superscripts show significant differences*, Significant at p<0.05; **, Significant at p<0.01

Table IV. Nutrient digestibility’s of broilers during the starter (day 0-21) grower (day 22-42) production period fed diets containing corn steep liquor (CSL) and enzose (Enz).

For abbreviations and statistical detail see Table III.

Table V. Carcass characteristics (kg) of the broilers fed diets containing corn steep liquor (CSL) and enzose (Enz) at day 42.

For abbreviations and statistical detail see Table III.

of soluble protein contents of CSL. In present research, the overall nutrient digestibility was higher in finisher phase relative to starter one. This may be due to fact that during initial period of life pancreas and small intestine produced low digestive enzymes. The documented values regarding dressing percentage may be considered as bench mark findings as no reports were found in literature review which can describe the potential effects of CSL and Enzose mixture on broiler’s carcass characteristics. The weight of giblet organs i.e., gizzard, heart, kidney, liver and spleen of broilers fed diet containing different levels of CLS: Enzose remained statistically insignificant among the treatment groups (Table V).

It is concluded that growth responses, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of birds were optimized fed 3% of CSL and Enzose mixture as compared to others. So, it is recommended and these results could be used for future baseline in further studies of this field. The current study results are of great importance as distinguished and supportive baseline data of nutrition science. It was found optimized feeding level 3% of CSL and Enzose mixture as compared to other feeding sources to poultry and this combination could be used as new opportunity in field of nutrition.

Authors are highly thankful to Punjab Agriculture Research Board (PARB), Lahore for funding. However, the PARB management had no involvement in the study.

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.