Influence of water quality and pollution on broiler's performance, vaccine and antibiotic efficiencies

Good water quality for livestock is critical for preserving animal health, ensuring the quality of animal products, supplying safe food, and increasing food production economics. Higher water levels of toxic compounds than permitted can impair meat, fat, eggs, and milk production, lower fertility, and represent public health hazards. Water picks up pollutants from its surroundings and those caused by animal and human activities. Many physicochemical parameters were used to ensure water quality, including pH, salt, taste, color, alkalinity, odor, and hardness. Water quality, directly and indirectly, impacts livestock performance and, thus, the poultry industry. Employing drinking water as a carrier of drugs still faces substantial barriers. The effectiveness of vaccinations and drugs is affected by inadequate water quality. Furthermore, contaminated water and poor nutrition negatively affect broiler chicken immunity, survival, and production. Antibiotics are widely utilized in poultry production to preserve animal health and growth. They can eliminate harmful bacteria in the gut, reduce the load on the immune system, optimize the digestive system, and boost growth performance. However, the abuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture has resulted in antibiotic-resistant infections threatening people and animals. As a result of its positive impact on the metabolome and gut microbiome, the natural antimicrobial combination could be used as an alternative; improving broiler chicken growth performance without negatively affecting the environment is currently paramount.

Effects of Dietary Sodium and Chloride on Slaughter Performance, Digestive Tract Development and Tibia Mineralization of Geese

This study evaluated the slaughter performance, digestive tract development and tibia mineralization effects of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) on geese. Four hundred and thirty-four male geese at 29 days were randomly assigned into nine groups with six replicates (eight in each). The experiment employed a 3 × 3 factorial design, with two instances each of three Na levels (0.10%, 0.15%, and 0.20%) and three Cl levels (0.15%, 0.20%, and 0.25%). All experimental birds were husbanded for 42 days. Dietary Na and Cl levels and their interactions (Na ×Cl) had no significant effect on the slaughter, breast, thigh, abdominal fat yield, and digestive tract index of geese (p > 0.05). However, dietary Na and Cl level significantly affected the crypt depth of the jejunum and tibial development. Variations in Na and Cl levels had a significant interaction on the crypt depth of jejunal (p < 0.05), 0.20% Na × 0.25% Cl had a minor crypt depth. Dietary variations in Na and Cl significantly affected the tibial strength, and there was a significant interaction between them (p < 0.05). When Na and Cl were at their maximum (0.20% Na and 0.25% Cl), the strength of the tibia was the lowest. In addition, a single factor (Na or Cl) had no effect (p > 0.05), but its interaction significantly affected the calcium (Ca) content of bone (p < 0.05). When the Na and Cl levels were 0.15% and 0.15%, respectively, the Ca content in bone was the highest. These results suggest that dietary Na and Cl had interactive effects on geese, especially in the development of the tibia. High dietary Na and Cl levels adversely influenced the tibia and intestinal crypt morphology. Therefore, we do not advocate supplementing too much Na or Cl in the diet. Combined with our previous results, for 29-70-day-old geese, it is recommended that dietary Na and Cl levels should be 0.10% and 0.15%, respectively.

Effect of sodium sources and exogenous phytase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and digesta pH of 21-day-old broilers

The effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) and NaCl+sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) and supplemental phytase (0, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 FTU/kg) on performance, nutrient digestibility and utilization, and digesta pH of male broiler chickens were investigated in a 2 × 4+1 factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized design with 6 replicate cages of 8 birds per replicate. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 4 factorial with contrast between the positive control and the diets containing 0 FTU phytase. Phytase supplementation linearly improved (P < 0.05) average body weigh gain (BWG) and feed intake (d 0-14 and 0-21). Apparent jejunal dry matter (DM) digestibility and digestible energy in birds fed diets containing only NaCl increased (linear and quadratic; P < 0.05) with phytase supplementation whereas quadratic (P < 0.05) effect was observed in birds fed diets containing a combination of NaCl and NaHCO3. Phytase supplementation improved (linear and quadratic; P < 0.05) apparent ileal nitrogen and P digestibility. Apparent utilization of DM, nitrogen, energy, and metabolizable energy increased (linear; P < 0.05) with increasing level of phytase supplementation. Apparent P utilization increased (linear and quadratic; P < 0.05) for both sodium sources but calcium utilization only increased (linear; P < 0.05) with the combination of NaCl and NaHCO3. Bone breaking strength (linear and quadratic) and bone ash (linear) increased (P < 0.05) with phytase supplementation. The combination of NaCl and NaHCO3 resulted in lower (P < 0.05) pH of digesta in the proximal ileum whereas the pH of the digesta in the distal ileum (linear) and the average pH of ileal contents (linear and quadratic) increased (P < 0.05) with phytase supplementation. Results from this study showed that birds' performance and utilization of nutrients and energy by broilers in the presence of phytase was, in general, not influenced by the source of sodium in the diet. Data from this study showed that NaHCO3 can replace a portion of NaCl in the diet of broilers supplemented with phytase without any significant negative effect on performance and that the 2,000 FTU phytase level resulted in better BWG and feed intake as well nutrient and energy utilization.

Tolerance and safety evaluation of sodium sulfate: A subchronic study in laying hens

Sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) is a readily available chlorine-free source of sodium, which could be used to reduce sodium chloride to maintain the ratio between chlorine and sodium in poultry diets. Dietary supplementation with excessive levels of Na2SO4 might be detrimental to bird's health and performance. A subchronic study was carried out to investigate the potential adverse effects of an accidental oversupply of Na2SO4 in the diets of laying hens. Four hundred and fifty 21-week-old Hy-Line White layers were randomly assigned to 5 treatments with 6 replicates. The birds were fed diets supplemented with 0 (control), 0.3%, 0.6%, 1.5%, and 3.0% Na2SO4 for 8 weeks. Laying performance, egg quality parameters, clinical blood parameters, histopathology, intestinal barrier functions, and intestinal microflora composition were measured. No clinical signs of intoxication or mortality were observed during the experimental period. The results of this study showed that the optimal levels of Na2SO4 (0.3% to 0.6%) significantly improved the laying rates, average daily egg mass, and eggshell quality of hens compared to the control (P < 0.05). However, 3.0% Na2SO4 produced negative effects on laying performance, eggshell quality, blood biochemistry, and particularly on liver and kidney pathology, and intestinal morphology and barrier functions compared with the controls. Although minor changes were observed in clinical blood parameters of hens receiving 1.5% Na2SO4, these were not considered to be of toxicological significance due to the absence of any organ pathological changes in hens. In conclusion, our results indicated that a Na2SO4 concentration of 1.5% was non-deleterious to laying hens after a daily administration for 56 d, namely that dietary supplementation of up to 5 times the maximum recommended dose is safely tolerated by laying hens.

Heat stress and poultry production: impact and amelioration

Globally, the poultry industry is gaining significant importance among the agricultural and its allied sectors. However, heat stress was found to negatively affect the poultry production particularly in the tropical regions. This review is therefore an attempt to generate information pertaining to the impacts of heat stress on poultry production and its amelioration. Heat stress reduces the growth, reproductive performance, and egg production in poultry birds. The reduction in productive potential of poultry birds on exposure to heat stress may be attributed to the deviation of energy resources from production to adaptation pathway. There are different approaches pertaining to relieving the adverse impacts of heat stress on poultry production. These approaches can be broadly categorized under genetic, management, and nutritional strategies. These approaches may reduce the negative effects of heat stress and enhance the productive performance of poultry birds. The management strategies include appropriate shelter design, providing shade, using sprinklers, implementing cooling devices, and using fans and ventilation systems. The recommended floor space for mature birds weighing 1.7 kg is 0.06 m²/bird while it is 0.13 m²/bird for the birds weighing 3.5 kg with 27.8 kg/m² bird density in either case. The nutritional interventions comprise ration balancing and providing essential micronutrients to improve the productive and reproductive performance in poultry birds. Fat, antioxidants, yeast, and electrolyte supplementations are some of the most commonly used nutritional strategies to ensure optimum production in the poultry industry. Furthermore, providing adequate water supply and disease surveillance measures may help to ensure optimum meat and egg production in the birds. The advanced biotechnological tools may aid to identify suitable genetic markers in poultry birds which might help in developing new strains of higher thermo-tolerance by designing suitable breeding program involving marker-assisted selection. These strategies may help to optimize and sustain poultry production in the changing climate scenario.

Effect of threonine and potassium carbonate on broiler chicken performance, immunity, carcass traits, and small intestine morphology

This study aimed to investigate the interactive effect of dietary threonine (i.e., 100, 110, and 120%) and low and high dietary potassium (i.e., 0.85 and 0.94% of diet) on the performance, immune response, blood metabolites, carcass traits, and jejunum morphology of broiler chickens in Iran. In a completely randomized design, 300 1-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to one of six dietary treatments with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. Broiler chicken growth performance, blood metabolite concentration, jejunum morphology, and antibody titter against Newcastle disease and influenza viruses were not affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). High level of dietary potassium led to lower toe web thickness index at 4 h post injection while compared to control group, threonine supplementation significantly decreased toe web thickness of broiler chickens at 24 and 48 h post injection (P < 0.05). Dietary treatments had no significant effects on carcass, abdominal fat, and breast and thigh percentages while higher dietary potassium increased serum glucose concentration (P < 0.05). Broilers fed diet supplemented with 20% supplemented threonine and higher potassium level had lower breast meat fat percentage while those fed diet supplemented with 20% threonine and low potassium had higher thigh meat protein percentage (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that although threonine supplementation improved toe web thickness index as cell-mediated immune response and lowered breast meat fat percentage in broiler chickens, there was no interaction between potassium with threonine in broiler chicken nutrition.

Sodium and chloride requirements of yellow-feathered chickens between 22 and 42 days of age

Sodium and chloride are the key factors maintaining normal osmotic pressure (OSM) and volume of the extracellular fluid, and influencing the acid-base balance of body fluids. The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Na+ and Cl- level on growth performance, excreta moisture, blood biochemical parameters, intestinal Na+-glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) messenger RNA (mRNA), and Na+-H+ exchanger 2 (NHE2) mRNA, and to estimate the optimal dietary sodium and chlorine level for yellow-feathered chickens from 22 to 42days. A total of 900 22-day-old Lingnan yellow-feathered male chickens were randomly allotted to five treatments, each of which included six replicates of 30 chickens per floor pen. The basal control diet was based on corn and soybean meal (without added NaCl and NaHCO3). Treatments 2 to 5 consisted of the basal diet supplemented with equal weights of Na+ and Cl-, constituting 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% of the diets. Supplemental dietary Na+ and Cl- improved the growth performance (P<0.05). Average daily gain (ADG) showed a quadratic broken-line regression to increasing dietary Na+ and Cl- (R2=0.979, P<0.001), and reached a plateau at 0.1%. Supplemental Na+ and Cl- increased (P<0.05) serum Na+ and OSM in serum and showed a quadratic broken-line regression (R2=0.997, P=0.004) at 0.11%. However, supplemental Na+ and Cl- decreased (P<0.05) serum levels of K+, glucose (GLU) and triglyceride. Higher levels of Na+and Cl- decreased duodenal NHE2 transcripts (P<0.05), but had no effect on ileal SGLT1 transcripts. The activity of Na+ /K+-ATPase in the duodenum decreased (P<0.05) with higher levels of dietary Na+ and Cl-. In conclusion, the optimal dietary Na+ and Cl- requirements for yellow-feathered chickens in the grower phase, from 22 to 42 days of age, to optimize ADG, serum Na+, OSM, K+ and GLU were 0.10%, 0.11%, 0.11%,0.17% and 0.16%, respectively, by regression analysis.

Potassium phosphate and potassium carbonate administration by feed or drinking water improved broiler performance, bone strength, digestive phosphatase activity and phosphorus digestibility under induced heat stress conditions

Potassium phosphate (K₂HPO₄) and potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) administration by feed or water were evaluated on broiler performance, bone strength, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and phosphorus digestibility under heat stress and high chloride condition. Experimental groups include control; 15 cc/kg K₂HPO₄; 30 cc/kg K₂HPO₄; 15 cc/l K₂HPO₄; and 3.7 g/kg K₂CO₃. Body weight (BW), feed and water consumption, plasma potassium, phosphorus, and calcium concentration along with plasma and digestive ALP and intestinal digesta pH were measured during the trial. Tibia ash, calcium and phosphorus content, and breaking strength were measured on days 21 and 42 and phosphorus digestibility on day 36 of age. As a result of this, study feed and water consumption was increased by supplementation of the feed or water with K₂HPO₄ (P ≤ 0.001). K₂HPO₄ increased body weight at 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.001). Tibia ash and phosphorus content was increased by K₂HPO₄ supplementation (P ≤ 0.004; P ≤ 0.003). K₂CO₃ did increased tibia ash but not changed tibia phosphorus content significantly. Tibia shear force, shear energy, extension, and length were improved by K₂HPO₄ administration at 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.001). Administration of either feed or water with K₂HPO₄ increased plasma potassium, phosphorus, and calcium concentration at 21 days of age, whereas K₂CO₃ reduced plasma potassium at 21 days of age (P ≤ 0.05). Plasma ALP reduced by addition of 15 cc K₂HPO₄ and K₂CO₃ to diets at 42 days of age, whereas digestive ALP was increased by inclusion of K₂HPO₄ and not by K₂CO₃. Supplementation of either feed or water with K₂HPO₄ increased phosphorus digestibility, whereas K₂CO₃ reduced phosphorus digestibility (P ≤ 0.003). Jejunum and ileum pH was reduced by K₂HPO₄ or by K₂CO₃ at 21 and 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.006; (P ≤ 0.05). Over all, results of current study revealed that K₂HPO₄ can be a suitable potassium salt choice instead of KCL in hot weather conditions especially when the water or diet contains high levels of chloride.

Heat stress management in poultry farms: A comprehensive overview

Heat stress causes significant economic losses in poultry production, especially in tropical and arid regions of the world. Several studies have investigated the effects of heat stress on the welfare and productivity of poultry. The harmful impacts of heat stress on different poultry types include decreased growth rates, appetites, feed utilization and laying and impaired meat and egg qualities. Recent studies have focused on the deleterious influences of heat stress on bird behaviour, welfare and reproduction. The primary strategies for mitigating heat stress in poultry farms have included feed supplements and management, but the results have not been consistent. This review article discusses the physiological effects of heat stress on poultry health and production and various management and nutritional approaches to cope with it.

Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Plasma Mineral Chemistry as Affected by Dietary Chloride and Chloride Salts Fed to Broiler Chickens Reared under Phase Feeding System

Requirements of dietary chloride (dCl) and chloride salts were determined by using 4×2 factorial arrangement under four phase feeding program. Four levels (0.31, 0.45, 0.59 and 0.73%) and two sources (NH₄Cl and CaCl₂) of the dCl were allocated to 1,472 chicks in eight dietary treatments in which each treatment was replicated four times with 46 birds per replicate. The four phase feeding program was comprised of four dietary phases: Prestarter (d 1 to 10), Starter (d 11 to 20), Grower (d 21 to 33) and Finisher (d 34 to 42); and diets were separately prepared for each phase. The cations, anions, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and salinity were analyzed in drinking water and were not affected by dietary treatments. BW gain (BWG; p≤0.009) and feed:gain (FG; p≤0.03) were improved in CaCl₂ supplemented diets during d 1 to 10. The maximum response of BWG and FG was observed at 0.38% and 0.42% dCl, respectively, for d 34 to 42. However, the level of dCl for BWG during d 21 to 33 (p≤0.04) and d 34 to 42 (p≤0.009) was optimized at 0.60% and 0.42%, respectively. The level of dCl for optimized feed intake (FI; p≤0.006), FG (p≤0.007) and litter moisture (LM; p≤0.001) was observed at 0.60%, 0.38% and 0.73%, respectively, for d 1 to 42. Water intake (DWI) was not affected by increasing dCl supplementation (p>0.05); however, the ratio between DWI and FI (DWI:FI) was found highest at 0.73% dCl during d 1 to 10 (p≤0.05) and d 21 to 33 (p≤0.009). Except for d 34 to 42 (p≤0.006), the increasing level of dCl did not result in a significant difference in mortality during any phase. Blood pH and glucose, and breast and thigh weights (percentage of dressed weight) were improved while dressing percentage (DP) and gastrointestinal health were exacerbated with NH₄Cl as compared to CaCl₂ supplemented diets (p≤0.001). Higher plasma Na⁺ and HCO₃⁻ and lower Cl⁻ and Ca⁺⁺ were observed in NH₄Cl supplemented diets (p≤0.001). Increasing supplementation of dCl increased plasma Cl⁻ (p≤0.04; quadratically) and linearly reduced plasma K⁺ (p≤0.001), Ca⁺⁺ (p≤0.003), HCO₃⁻ (p≤0.001), and Na⁺ (p≤0.001; quadratically). Consequently, higher requirements of dietary chloride are suggested for feed intake; nevertheless, lower levels of dietary chloride are sufficient to support optimal BWG and FG with increasing age. The NH₄Cl supplemented diets ameliorate breast and thigh meat yield along with overall energy balance (glucose).

Carcass and body organ characteristics of broilers supplemented with dietary sodium and sodium salts under a phase feeding system

The effect of sodium and sodium salts on carcass and body organ characteristics of broilers under a four phase feeding program were investigated. A basal diet (0.08% dNa with NaCl) was formulated and one of two sources of dNa (NaHCO3 and Na2SO4) were supplemented to obtain four different percentages of dNa (0.17, 0.26, 0.35, and 0.44%) for each treatment. There was a linear decrease in dressing percentage (DP) with source × level interaction (p ≤ 0.001), while there was a linear increase in breast yield and thigh yield with increasing dNa supplementation (p ≤ 0.001). Chicks fed 0.35% NaHCO3 and 0.44% dNa Na2SO4 supplemental salts had lower abdominal fat (p ≤ 0.04). Chicks that received increasing levels of dNa (from 0.17 to 0.44%) showed increasing gizzard weight (p ≤ 0.002) and decreasing spleen weight (p ≤ 0.02). When both salts were supplemented at 0.26% dNa, the chicks showed their lowest bursa weight (p ≤ 0.001). Consequently, chicks at higher dNa showed an increase in breast and thigh meat yield, and increasing capacity of their digestive organ. The higher levels of dNa should be tested with other cations and anions to fully understand acid base homoeostasis.

Níveis de cloro da ração sobre parâmetros sanguíneos e ósseos de codornas italianas destinadas à produção de carne

Avaliaram-se diferentes níveis de cloro da ração sobre os parâmetros sanguíneos e o desenvolvimento ósseo de codornas destinadas à produção de carne. Foram utilizadas 384 codornas italianas de um a 49 dias de idade, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com seis tratamentos e oito repetições de oito aves. Os tratamentos consistiram de rações isonutrientes, exceto para o nível de cloro, que foram: 0,07; 0,12; 0,17; 0,22; 0,27 e 0,32%. Aos 49 dias, foram selecionadas duas aves por parcela para as coletas do sangue e das tíbias. Foram avaliados o pH e as concentrações de Na, Cl e K no sangue, bem como o comprimento, o diâmetro, o peso, o teor de matéria seca e cinzas, o índice de Seedor e a resistência à quebra e deformidade da tíbia. Os níveis de cloro da ração não influenciaram significativamente o pH, as concentrações de Na, Cl, K no sangue, assim como o comprimento, o diâmetro, o peso, o índice de Seedor, o teor de matéria seca e cinzas e a resistência à quebra e deformidade da tíbia. Conforme os resultados, o nível de cloro pode variar de 0,07 até 0,32%, sem alterar o pH e as concentrações de Na, Cl e K no sangue e sem prejuízos na qualidade óssea.

Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Serum Mineral Chemistry as Affected by Dietary Sodium and Sodium Salts Fed to Broiler Chickens Reared under Phase Feeding System

A basal diet (0.8 g/kg dNa) was formulated in which each of the two sources (NaHCO3 and Na2SO4) were supplemented in such a way to attain four levels (1.7, 2.6, 3.5, and 4.4 g/kg) of total dNa, respectively, under 4×2 factorial arrangement. Eight dietary treatments were replicated four times, with 40 birds in each replicate (n = 1,280). The diets supplemented with Na2SO4 to attain higher levels of dNa showed highest BW gain and feed intake (FI) during d 1 to 10 (interaction effects) while 2.6 g/kg dNa exhibited improved BW gain and gain:feed (FG) during d 11 to 20. Linear rise in daily water intake (DWI) was associated with diets containing increasing dNa during d 1 to 42 (p≤0.036). During the first 10 d, DWI:FI was found highest in NaHCO3 diets while Na2SO4 diets showed highest DWI:FI during last 10 d of the experiment (p≤0.036). Increasing dNa and changing Na2SO4 with NaHCO3 salt increased pH and resulted in poor growth performance. Dressing weight (p≤0.001) and abdominal fat (p≤0.001; quadratic effect) were reduced, whereas breast (p≤0.001) and thigh (p<0.001) weights were aggravated with increasing dNa (linear effects). Present findings suggested higher levels of dNa from Na2SO4 as the supplemental salt in broiler diets would produce better growth performance, especially in first ten days of life, and improve carcass and body organ characteristics.

Effect of potassium chloride supplementation in drinking water on broiler performance under heat stress conditions

The effect of water supplementation of KCl on performance of heat-stressed Hubbard broilers was evaluated in the present experiment. The 3 experimental treatments (i.e., control, 0.3 and 0.6% KCl) were allocated to 3 replicates of 15 birds each. The control group was kept on dugout tap water, whereas the other 2 groups were supplied water supplemented with 0.3 and 0.6% KCl (wt/vol) by supplementing 3 and 6 g of KCl, respectively, per liter of drinking water. Broilers were provided ad libitum access to feed and water for the experimental period of 7 to 42 d of age and kept in open-sided house. The birds were reared under continuous thermostress (minimum 28.2 +/- 1.02 and maximum 37.5 +/- 0.78 degrees C) environment. Supplementing drinking water with 0.6% KCl reduced panting-phase blood pH to 7.31 and significantly increased live BW gain by 14.5 (P = 0.036) and 7.9% (P = 0.029) at 28 and 42 d of age, respectively, relative to control. An improved (P = 0.04) feed:gain and lowered body temperature were noted in groups supplemented with 0.6% KCl as compared with control and 0.3% KCl. Enhanced physiological adaptation with 0.6% KCl was evidenced by a more favorable pH during the panting phase in the present study. These findings demonstrated a possibility of better broiler live performance through KCl supplementation under conditions of severe heat stress (35 to 38 degrees C).

Influence of Canola Meal-Based Diets Supplemented with Exogenous Enzyme and Digestible Lysine on Performance, Digestibility, Carcass, and Immunity Responses of Broiler Chickens

The response of broiler chickens to 2 levels of endo-1,4-beta xylanase and endo-1,3-beta glucanase combination (with and without), 3 levels of digestible Lys (0.8, 0.9, and 1.0%), and 2 levels of canola meal (CM; 20 and 30%) were evaluated in 2 x 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. A total of 2,448 male Hubbard broiler chicks were fed on practical mash diets having 2,750 kcal of ME.kg(-1) and 19.6% CP from 1 to 42 d of age. The BW gain was significantly reduced when 30% CM was added in the diets during 1 to 21 d. Feed:gain and mortality were also observed to be high. No significant effect of enzyme addition or Lys level was observed on feed intake, BW gain, feed:gain, and mortality during the starter phase. When the data were pooled for 42 d, BW gain and feed:gain were unaffected by enzyme addition or Lys levels. A depression in breast weight was observed due to 30% CM or 0.8 and 0.9% digestible Lys at 43 d. Leg weights were significantly depressed by enzyme addition or increasing digestible Lys to 1.0% of the diets. The AME, nitrogen digestibility, and antibody titers against Newcastle and infectious bursal diseases were also unaffected by the dietary treatments. In conclusion, the 30% CM is not recommended in broiler diets especially during starter phase (1 to 21 d). However, the CM may be used up to 30% of the diets during finishing phase. The digestible Lys can be lowered to 0.8% when amino acids in proportion to digestible Lys follow the ideal AA ratio. The glucanase and xylanase cocktail have no pronounced effect on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics.