Performance and egg quality of laying hens affected by different sources of phytase.

Ninety hens were divided into six groups as a 2 x 3 factorial design and fed diets containing Wheat Bran (WB) at two levels of 0 and 5% and the enzyme phytase at three levels of 0, 150 and 300 FTU kg(-1). Egg weight, egg production, feed intake and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were determined. Eggs were collected on two consecutive days at fortnightly intervals to measure egg size and egg component weights. Shell thickness was measured. Egg production, egg weight, FCR and feed intake were not affected by WB. Egg production, egg weight and feed intake were significantly higher in phytase-supplemented groups than unsupplemented groups. FCR differed significantly between dietary treatments as phytase supplementation significantly decreased FCR. Inclusion of WB to the diets had no effect on egg size and albumen weight. Phytase supplementation did not affect yolk weight, although albumen and shell weight were significantly affected.