Effect of fermented rice bran on growth performance and bioavailability of phosphorus in broiler chickens Ahmad Ali1,*, Anjum Aftab Ahmad1, Rabbani Masood1, Ashraf Kamran2, Awais Mian Muhammad3, Nawaz Muhammad1, Ahmad Nisar2, Asif Ali4, Sana Saba1 Department of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan 1Department of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan 2Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan 3Department of Pathobiology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan 4Gomal College of Veterinary Sciences, Dera Ismail khan *Corresponding author's e-mail: aliahmedvet@yahoo.com
Online published on 11 April, 2019. Abstract In the present study, sterilized rice bran was fermented for 48, 72 and 96 hours by Aspergillus flavus and proximate analysis indicated that fermentation changed nutritive value of the rice bran. Four experimental feeds were fed to 4 groups of day old broiler chicks for 6 weeks to evaluate their effects on broiler performance (weekly feed intake, weight gain, FCR and mortality). During first 2 weeks, birds of group D showed significant difference (P<0.05) in feed intake and weight gain as compared to groups A (control), B and C. All groups did not show significant differences in feed conversion ratios (FCR). During 3rd week of trial, chickens of Group D showed significant difference (P<0.05) in feed intake, weight gain and FCR as compared to group A. During last 3 weeks, birds in group D showed significant difference (P<0.05) in feed intake, weight gain and FCR as compared to birds of groups A, B and C. Group D showed significantly higher weight gain and better FCR (P<0.05) as compared to groups A, B and C. On the whole, broiler chickens fed on 96 hours fermented rice bran showed best growth performance. In-vivo phytase activity was determined in ash of tibia bones collected from selected birds in each group. Group D showed significantly high percentage (P<0.05) of ash and phosphorus in tibia bones as compared to groups A (control), B and C. In conclusion, fermented rice bran showed beneficial effect on broiler performance and could be used in poultry feed as phytase source. Top Keywords Broilers, Fermented rice bran, Proximate analysis, Growth performance, Phytase activity. Top |