Research shows that adding β-mannanase enzyme to broiler chicken feed significantly improves growth performance and feed efficiency, even when feed contains fewer calories and less protein. A 2026 study of 900 chickens found that birds receiving the enzyme grew faster, converted feed to body weight more efficiently, and had lower harmful ammonia levels in their digestive systems, suggesting the enzyme helps chickens extract more nutrition from their food.
Researchers tested whether adding a natural enzyme called β-mannanase to chicken feed could help birds grow faster and healthier, even when the feed had fewer calories and less protein. They studied 900 young chickens divided into different groups with varying feed recipes, some with the enzyme and some without. According to Gram Research analysis, chickens that received the enzyme grew better, converted their food to body weight more efficiently, and had lower levels of harmful ammonia in their digestive systems. The enzyme didn’t change blood fat levels, but it did help chickens get more nutrition from their feed, suggesting it could be useful for poultry farmers looking to improve efficiency.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research article studying 900 broiler chickens found that dietary β-mannanase supplementation at 0.05% significantly improved growth performance and feed conversion ratio compared to unsupplemented feed.
According to research reviewed by Gram, chickens fed diets containing β-mannanase had significantly lower cecal ammonia concentrations than corresponding groups without the enzyme, indicating improved digestive efficiency.
A 2026 study of 900 broiler chicks found that β-mannanase supplementation improved growth and nutrient utilization even when dietary energy was reduced by 75 kcal/kg and protein was reduced by 1%.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether adding a digestive enzyme (β-mannanase) to chicken feed improves growth, health, and how well chickens use their food
- Who participated: 900 one-day-old male broiler chickens (the type raised for meat) divided into six different feeding groups with different calorie and protein levels
- Key finding: Chickens fed the enzyme grew faster and converted feed to body weight more efficiently than chickens without it, even when the feed had fewer calories and less protein
- What it means for you: This research suggests the enzyme could help poultry farms produce healthier chickens more efficiently, potentially lowering costs and environmental impact. However, this study focused only on chickens, not human nutrition
The Research Details
Scientists divided 900 young chickens into six groups based on two factors: the amount of calories and protein in their feed (normal levels, reduced calories, or reduced calories plus reduced protein), and whether or not their feed contained the enzyme β-mannanase at 0.05%. The researchers tracked how fast the chickens grew, how much feed they ate, and measured various health markers in their blood and digestive systems over the study period.
This type of study is called a factorial design experiment, which means researchers can test multiple variables at the same time to see how they work together. By comparing chickens with and without the enzyme across different feed types, the scientists could isolate the enzyme’s specific effects.
The researchers measured growth performance (how much weight chickens gained), feed conversion ratio (how much feed was needed to gain one pound of body weight), blood enzyme levels, organ sizes, ammonia concentration in the digestive tract, and fat levels in blood and liver tissue.
This research approach is important because it tests whether the enzyme works in real-world conditions where feed quality might be reduced to save costs. By testing the enzyme across multiple feed compositions, researchers could determine if it’s truly beneficial or only helpful in certain situations. Understanding how digestive enzymes affect nutrient absorption helps farmers make better feeding decisions.
This study was conducted with a reasonably large sample size (900 birds), which increases confidence in the results. The factorial design allows researchers to examine multiple variables simultaneously. However, the study doesn’t specify all methodological details in the abstract, such as the exact duration of the study, specific growth measurements taken, or statistical analysis methods used. The research was published in a peer-reviewed journal (Biology), which means other experts reviewed it before publication. Results were consistent across multiple measurements, which strengthens confidence in the findings.
What the Results Show
Chickens that received the β-mannanase enzyme in their feed showed significantly better growth performance compared to chickens without the enzyme. This improvement was especially notable because it occurred even when the feed contained fewer calories and less protein than standard feed. The feed conversion ratio—a measure of how efficiently chickens convert feed into body weight—improved substantially with enzyme supplementation.
One of the most interesting findings was that ammonia levels in the chickens’ cecum (part of the digestive system) were significantly lower in birds fed the enzyme. High ammonia levels can indicate poor digestion and nutrient absorption, so lower levels suggest the enzyme helps chickens digest their food more completely and efficiently.
The enzyme appeared to work by helping chickens extract more nutrition from their feed, particularly when calories and protein were reduced. This suggests the enzyme breaks down complex carbohydrates in the feed that chickens normally cannot digest well, making more nutrients available for absorption.
The study found no significant differences in blood enzyme levels (markers of liver and kidney function) between groups, suggesting the enzyme supplementation didn’t harm the chickens’ health. Organ sizes and measurements of the small intestine were similar across groups, except for slight differences in liver weight. Blood fat levels and liver fat levels were not affected by the enzyme, indicating it doesn’t change how chickens process dietary fats. These secondary findings suggest the enzyme works specifically on carbohydrate digestion rather than affecting overall metabolism or organ function.
This research builds on previous studies showing that digestive enzymes can improve nutrient absorption in poultry. The novel aspect of this study is demonstrating that β-mannanase specifically helps chickens maintain good growth even when feed quality is reduced. Previous research suggested enzymes might help, but this study provides stronger evidence by testing the enzyme across multiple feed compositions. The findings align with the known function of β-mannanase, which breaks down β-glucans and mannans—complex carbohydrates found in grains that chickens struggle to digest naturally.
The study abstract doesn’t specify the exact duration of the experiment or the final age of the chickens, making it difficult to assess long-term effects. The research focused only on male broiler chickens, so results may not apply equally to female chickens or other poultry types. The study measured enzyme concentration in feed but didn’t specify whether the enzyme remained stable throughout storage or if different storage conditions might affect results. Additionally, the abstract doesn’t provide detailed statistical analysis information, such as confidence intervals or p-values for all measurements. The study was conducted in controlled laboratory conditions, which may not perfectly reflect real farm environments with variable conditions.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, poultry farmers may consider supplementing broiler feed with β-mannanase (at 0.05% concentration) to improve growth efficiency, particularly when using lower-quality or cost-reduced feed formulations. The enzyme appears safe based on normal blood enzyme and organ measurements. Confidence level: Moderate—the study shows clear benefits, but results are specific to broiler chickens and controlled conditions. Farmers should consult with nutritionists before making feed changes.
Poultry farmers and feed manufacturers should pay attention to these findings, as the enzyme could improve profitability and sustainability. Consumers interested in efficient food production may appreciate that this enzyme could reduce feed waste. This research is not directly applicable to human nutrition or health. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should not assume this enzyme affects their condition—it’s designed for chicken digestion, not human digestion.
Growth improvements in chickens receiving the enzyme would likely appear within the first few weeks of supplementation, as broiler chickens are fast-growing birds. The full benefits on feed conversion efficiency would become apparent over the entire growth period (typically 6-7 weeks for broilers). Farmers implementing this change should monitor growth rates and feed consumption within the first 2-3 weeks to assess effectiveness in their specific conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does adding enzymes to chicken feed make chickens grow faster?
Research shows β-mannanase enzyme supplementation significantly improves broiler chicken growth performance and feed conversion efficiency. A 2026 study of 900 chickens found faster growth and better nutrient utilization with enzyme-supplemented feed, even when calories and protein were reduced.
What does β-mannanase do in chicken feed?
β-mannanase breaks down complex carbohydrates in grain-based feed that chickens normally cannot digest efficiently. This enzyme helps chickens absorb more nutrients from their food, improving growth while reducing digestive waste products like ammonia in their digestive systems.
Is β-mannanase safe for chickens?
Research indicates β-mannanase supplementation is safe for broiler chickens. A 2026 study found no significant differences in blood enzyme levels or organ function between supplemented and non-supplemented groups, suggesting the enzyme doesn’t harm chicken health.
Can enzyme supplements reduce feed costs for poultry farmers?
Potentially yes. A 2026 study showed β-mannanase improved growth even when feed had reduced calories and protein, suggesting farmers could use lower-cost feed formulations without sacrificing bird growth, though individual results depend on specific farm conditions.
How long does it take to see benefits from adding this enzyme to chicken feed?
Growth improvements in broiler chickens typically appear within the first few weeks of enzyme supplementation, with full benefits on feed conversion efficiency visible over the complete 6-7 week growth period typical for broiler production.
Want to Apply This Research?
- For poultry farmers using a nutrition app: Track daily feed consumption (in pounds or kilograms) and weekly average bird weight gain. Calculate and log the feed conversion ratio weekly (total feed consumed ÷ total weight gained). Compare these metrics before and after enzyme supplementation to quantify the improvement.
- Farmers could use the app to set reminders for consistent enzyme supplementation timing and dosage verification. Create a checklist to confirm the enzyme is properly mixed into feed batches. Log any observable changes in bird behavior, feather quality, or digestive health (such as litter moisture) to correlate with enzyme supplementation.
- Establish a baseline of current growth performance and feed conversion metrics before introducing the enzyme. Track metrics weekly for at least 4-6 weeks to allow sufficient time for benefits to manifest. Compare results against historical data and industry benchmarks. Monitor for any unexpected changes in bird health or mortality rates. Document feed batch information and storage conditions to identify any variables affecting enzyme effectiveness.
This research focuses specifically on broiler chicken nutrition and is not applicable to human health or nutrition. The findings are based on controlled laboratory conditions and may not fully represent real-world farm environments. Poultry farmers considering enzyme supplementation should consult with animal nutritionists or veterinarians before making feed changes. Results may vary based on specific feed ingredients, storage conditions, environmental factors, and individual farm management practices. This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional agricultural or veterinary advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.