CONTENTS

NARASIMHA et al
comparable, the egg production in BD was lower by
6.10% compared to SD and supplementing NSP
enzymes to BD, increased the egg production by
4.15%, while no additional benefit was observed with
prebiotics addition. Sohail et al. (2003) reported
improvement in egg production by 1.2 % with NSP
enzymes (Avizyme containing xylanase, amylase
and protease) added at 0.075% level to corn soybean
based layer diets. Li et al. (2007) reported an
improvement in egg production with supplementation
of FOS at 2, 4 and 6 g/kg to corn soy based diets.
Contrary to the present findings, Scott and Mc Cann
(2005) reported reduced egg production on
supplementation of Avizyme (0.375 g/kg) compared
to control and other feed additives (Biomas 2 g/kg
and organic acid blend 4 g/kg).
Feed intake
Supplementation of NSP enzymes,
prebiotics and combination of both to BD had no
effect on feed intake (Table 4). Similar results were
reported by Ahsan et al. (2005) who observed non
significant effect of enzyme (xylanase 30 U/ml, endo
glucanase 2.5 U/ml and â glucosidase 1.5 U/ml)
added at different levels on feed intake. Scheideler
et al. (2005) also reported non significant effect of
dietary ME and enzyme (Avizyme 1500; xylanase
1000, protease 4000, and amylase 2000 IU/kg)
incorporated at the rate of 0.075% on feed
consumption. Scott and Mc Cann (2005) reported
non significant effect of enzyme Avizyme (0.375 g/
kg) and Biomas (2 g/kg) supplementation to wheat
based diets on feed intake.
Weight gain
In toto, at the end of the experiment all the
birds in all the treatment groups were in positive
weight gain (Table 4). The supplementation of NSP
enzymes, prebiotics to BD had no effect on body
weight gain and the overall weight gains recorded
were comparable among the experimental groups
including SD and BD. Wu et al. (2005) reported no
effect in weight gain in layers by reducing dietary
energy concentration from 2959 to 2719 kcal ME/kg
diet. Supplementing 1.2 % Avizyme (xylanase,
amylase and protease) added to corn soya diets did
not affect body weight gain (Sohail et al. 2003), while
El - Sheikh et al. (2009) observed significant increase
(P