Researchers tested whether adding special enzymes and a plant fiber called inulin to chicken feed could help young chickens grow better. They fed 320 baby chickens different types of feed for 11 days, some with regular wheat and some with added enzymes or inulin. The results showed that chickens eating feed with these supplements grew faster, had better digestion, and seemed healthier overall. This research suggests that these natural additives could be a simple way to improve chicken farming without changing the basic diet.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether adding an enzyme called xylanase and a plant fiber called inulin to chicken feed would help young chickens grow faster and stay healthier
- Who participated: 320 female baby chickens (Ross 308 breed) that were 10-21 days old, divided into 8 groups eating different types of feed
- Key finding: Chickens that ate feed with the enzyme xylanase grew faster and had better energy from their food. Chickens eating either the enzyme or inulin had stronger immune systems and better digestion
- What it means for you: If you raise chickens or work in poultry farming, adding these natural supplements to feed may help chickens grow better with less waste. However, this study was done in a controlled setting, so results on real farms might vary
The Research Details
Scientists created 8 different chicken feed recipes using wheat as the main ingredient. Some feeds had low fiber wheat, others had high fiber wheat. Then they added either nothing (control), an enzyme called xylanase, a plant fiber called inulin, or both supplements to each type of wheat feed. They gave these 8 different feeds to 320 baby chickens split into small groups of 5 birds each. The chickens ate as much as they wanted for 11 days, and researchers measured how fast they grew, how much feed they ate, and various health markers.
The enzyme xylanase works by breaking down tough plant fibers in wheat, making the nutrients easier for chickens to absorb. Inulin is a special type of fiber that acts like food for good bacteria in the chicken’s digestive system. By testing both together and separately, researchers could see which supplement—or combination—worked best.
This type of study is valuable because it tests real feed additives under controlled conditions where scientists can measure everything carefully. The researchers kept all other factors the same (same energy level, same protein content) so they could see exactly what the supplements did.
Understanding how to improve chicken feed efficiency is important for farmers because it means chickens can grow faster using less feed, which saves money and resources. It also helps reduce waste and environmental impact. Testing natural additives like enzymes and prebiotics is important because they’re safer alternatives to some other feed additives.
This study was well-designed with a good sample size (320 chickens) and proper controls. The researchers kept conditions very consistent and measured multiple health markers. However, this was a short-term study (only 11 days) with young chickens in a controlled farm setting, so results might differ in real-world conditions or with older birds. The study didn’t report some statistical details clearly, which makes it harder to assess the strength of some findings.
What the Results Show
Chickens that ate feed with the xylanase enzyme grew noticeably faster and converted their feed into body weight more efficiently. This means they gained more weight while eating the same amount of food. The enzyme also increased the energy chickens could get from their wheat-based feed, which is important because wheat naturally contains fibers that are hard for chickens to digest.
Both the enzyme and inulin improved the chickens’ immune system markers, suggesting they were healthier and better able to fight off illness. Chickens eating these supplements had better antioxidant levels in their blood, which helps protect their cells from damage.
Interestingly, the type of wheat (low fiber or high fiber) didn’t make much difference in how well the chickens grew. This suggests that young chickens can handle different amounts of fiber in their diet without problems, as long as they get the right supplements to help them digest it.
Chickens eating the enzyme had smaller pancreases, which is actually a good sign—it suggests their digestive system was working more efficiently and didn’t need to work as hard.
The study found that chickens eating inulin had better digestive health markers and improved gut bacteria balance. When the enzyme and inulin were used together, they seemed to work well as a team, though the enzyme alone was often enough to see benefits. The supplements didn’t cause any negative side effects or health problems in any of the chickens.
This research builds on earlier studies showing that enzymes can help chickens digest plant-based feeds better. The addition of testing inulin (a prebiotic) is newer and aligns with growing interest in using natural gut-health products in animal farming. The findings support what other researchers have found: that natural additives can improve chicken growth and health without major diet changes.
This study only lasted 11 days and only tested young chickens, so we don’t know if the benefits continue as chickens get older. The study was done in a controlled research setting, not on actual farms, so real-world results might be different due to different conditions, stress, or diseases. The researchers tested only one type of chicken breed and one enzyme product, so results might vary with different breeds or products. Finally, the study didn’t track long-term health or meat quality, only growth during this short period.
The Bottom Line
For poultry farmers: Adding xylanase enzyme to wheat-based chicken feed appears to be a practical strategy to improve growth and feed efficiency (moderate confidence based on this controlled study). Adding inulin may provide additional immune and digestive benefits (moderate confidence). The combination of both supplements may offer the best results, though the enzyme alone seems to provide most of the benefit. These are natural additives with no reported safety concerns.
Poultry farmers and feed manufacturers should pay attention to these findings, especially those using wheat-heavy diets. This is most relevant for people raising broiler chickens (meat chickens) in commercial or semi-commercial settings. Pet chicken owners might find this interesting but should consult with a veterinarian before changing feed. This research doesn’t apply to other animals like cattle or pigs without further testing.
Based on this study, benefits appeared within 11 days of feeding the supplements. Farmers could expect to see improved growth rates and feed efficiency within 1-2 weeks of switching to supplemented feed. Long-term benefits beyond 3 weeks are unknown based on this research.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If tracking poultry health: Record weekly weight gain, feed consumption per bird, and any visible health changes. Compare these metrics between flocks fed with and without supplements to see real-world results on your farm
- For farmers: Switch to a xylanase-supplemented feed for one test flock while keeping another flock on regular feed. Track growth and costs for 3-4 weeks to see if the supplement investment pays for itself through faster growth
- Establish a baseline of your current flock’s growth rate and feed costs. After introducing supplemented feed, measure the same metrics weekly. Calculate the return on investment by comparing feed costs against time-to-market and final weight gains
This research describes results from a controlled 11-day study on young broiler chickens and should not be considered medical advice for treating sick animals. Always consult with a veterinarian or poultry nutritionist before making significant changes to your flock’s diet. Results may vary based on chicken breed, age, farm conditions, and feed quality. This study was conducted in a research setting and may not reflect real-world farm conditions. The supplements tested are feed additives, not treatments for disease. If your chickens show signs of illness, contact a veterinarian immediately.