The efficiency of non-starch-polysaccharide hydrolysing enzymes on nutrient digestibility and gross energy convertibility of barley/rye and wheat/ryediets for laying hens

The efficiency of beta-glucanase or xylanase containing enzymes supplemente d to rations for laying hens on the basis of barley-rye and wheat-rye were tested in two balance experiments. Five diets for eight hens each (White Lo hmann Leghorn Hybrids) have been proved. The balances were carried out in t he 23rd and 29th week of life. Statistically significant differences in the digestibility of nutrients like protein, fat and starch as well in the tra nsformation of gross energy and metabolizable energy appeared especially in the first balance period. In the second balance period the starch digestib ility was increased significantly from 93.7% to 99.7% by enzyme supplementa tion of the barley-rye rations. A positive influence of enzymes on the ilea l digestibility of starch and fat could also be found. The addition of enzy mes led to a decreasing reaction of the viscosity in the feed, in the diffe rent parts of the digesta and in the excreta.