Effects of replacing maize, with rice milling waste with or without enzyme supplementation, on performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens

Abstract

The escalating cost of conventional feed ingredients, such as maize, commonly used as the primary energy source, has intensified the search for cost-effective alternatives in broiler production. Rice milling waste (RMW), an abundant agro-industrial by-product, presents a promising substitute. This study evaluated the effects of replacing maize with RMW, with or without enzyme supplementation, on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens. A total of 280 one-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, each with four replicates of 10 birds. Treatment 1 served as the control (0% RMW), while Treatments 2, 4, and 6 involved 20%, 30%, and 40% maize replacement with RMW without enzyme supplementation, respectively. Treatments 3, 5, and 7 had the same replacement levels but were supplemented with enzymes. The trial lasted for 7 weeks. Proximate analysis of RMW showed 3.62% crude protein, 39.74% crude fibre, 16.57% nitrogen-free extract, 1.87% crude fat, and 89.76% dry matter. Dietary treatments significantly (p < 0.05) influenced final body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and feed cost efficiency. Birds fed enzyme-supplemented RMW diets (Treatments 3, 5, and 7) showed improved performance compared to their unsupplemented counterparts. It was concluded that RMW can replace maize up to 40% in broiler diets when enzymes are added.