Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of enzyme supplementation (xylanase + β-glucanase) of diets based on corn and soybean meal on: performance in initial (1-14 days) and growing (15-35 days) phases, and nutrient metabolization of meat-type quails. The treatments were: positive control to meet the nutritional requirements of the specie; positive control supplemented with enzyme complex; and negative controls with two reduced supplementation levels of metabolizable energy and amino acids (by 2% and 4%). In the initial phase, the negative control treatment reduced by 4% of metabolizable energy and amino acids increased feed intake (p < 0.05), compared to positive controls. In the growing phase, there were no differences (p > 0.05) in feed intake, feed conversion ratio and carcass traits. In conclusion, this supplementation can be used successfully in diets with reduced metabolizable energy and amino acid contents for meat-type quails. In the metabolism trial, there were no differences (p > 0.05) in metabolizable coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and gross energy among treatments. The metabolization coefficient of NDF improved (p < 0.05) with enzyme supplementation.
nutrient balance; carbohydrases; Coturnix coturnix sp.; performance; enzymes; carcass yield