Diet supplementation with phytase and xylanase on laying performance, egg quality, apparent metabolizable energy, and phosphorous use in laying hens

Background and Aim: The inclusion of supplementary enzymes, such as phytase and xylanase, in poultry diets enhances nutrient digestibility and reduces excreta output, minimizing environmental impact. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of phytase and xylanase supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), and phosphorus utilization in laying hens. Materials and Methods: A total of 576 laying hens, aged 47 weeks, were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: (T1) a control diet, (T2) a negative control diet with reduced energy and phosphorus, (T3) T2 supplemented with phytase (50 g/ton) and xylanase (100 g/ton), and (T4) T2 supplemented with phytase and NSP enzyme mix. The study was conducted over 12 weeks. Data on body weight, laying performance, egg quality, AME, and phosphorus utilization were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: No significant differences were observed in hen-day egg production, egg weight, or feed intake across groups. However, enzyme supplementation (T3 and T4) significantly reduced feed costs per kg egg and feed cost per egg compared to the control (p < 0.05). Eggshell strength improved significantly in T3 and T4 groups, while yolk color declined in these groups compared to T1 (p < 0.05). Other quality metrics, such as albumen height and Haugh units, showed no significant differences. Apparent metabolizable energy, phosphorus retention time, and feces scores were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. Conclusion: Phytase and xylanase supplementation in diets with reduced nutrient content effectively reduced production costs while maintaining laying performance and improving eggshell strength. These findings support the use of these enzymes as cost-efficient tools in poultry production without compromising egg quality.