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REVIEW

Feeding whole grain and phytase to meat chickens: recent Australian experience

Amy F. Moss https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8647-8448 A B C , Sonia Yun Liu B and Peter H. Selle B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

B Poultry Research Foundation within The University of Sydney, Camden Campus, 425 Werombi Road, Brownlow Hill, NSW 2570, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: amoss22@une.edu.au

Animal Production Science 59(11) 2010-2014 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN19283
Submitted: 12 April 2019  Accepted: 25 June 2019   Published: 13 September 2019

Abstract

Both whole-grain feeding and exogenous phytases have been widely accepted by the chicken-meat industry, so any interactions that arise from this combined supplementation are potentially important. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research evaluating the effect of phytase under whole-grain feeding regimens. Whole-grain feeding increases relative gizzard weights and gizzard functionality. However, the gizzard is the primary site of phytate degradation by phytase, so this combined supplementation should enhance phytase efficacy. Moreover, there has been recent progress towards understanding the influence of whole-grain feeding and exogenous phytase on broiler performance, which is discussed. Further research is warranted to establish a whole-grain feeding regimen that generates robust gizzard responses so as to enhance feed efficiency, energy utilisation and phytase efficacy.

Additional keywords: amino acids, phytate, post-pellet, pre-pellet, protein.


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