The experimental design involved a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with two
wheat forms (ground wheat (GW) and whole wheat (WW) inclusion after pelleting) and
two levels of xylanase (0 and 1000XUkg−1 diet). The whole wheat and ground wheat were
from the same source.
The basal diets were based on wheat and soybean meal. Two sets of basal diets were
used: one for broiler starters (1–21 days) and the other for broiler finishers (22–35 days).
The ingredient composition and analysis of the basal diets are shown in Table 1. Whole
wheat replaced ground wheat (100 and 200 g kg−1 WW replacing GW during 1–21 days
and 22–35 days, respectively) and the diets were cold-pelleted (65–70 ◦C). Ground wheat
was included in the pellets and the whole wheat was added post-pelleting. The basal diets
were formulated to meet or exceed the NRC (1994) recommendations for all nutrients. Diets
were offered ad libitum and water was available at all times.