Supplemental effects of dried yeast (<i>Yea-sacc 1026(P)</i>^®) in a low protein diet on growth performance, carcass characteristics and organ weights of broiler chicken

Abstract

The growth enhancing properties of Yea-sacc 1026(P) yeast culture were evaluated in this study. Seven day old broiler chicks of the Nera breed were allotted to 5 dietary treatments with 3 replicates at 6 birds per replicate. Diet A was the control and contained 23.14% crude protein with fishmeal constituting 5% of the diet and no yeast additive. Diet B served as a basal diet containing 18% crude protein with no fish meal and no yeast additive. Diets C, D and E had the same formulation as diet B but with 0.08 %, 0.16% and 0.32% of yeast (Yea-sacc 1026(P) respectively. Average voluntary feed intake values (66-74gd^-1) were similar (P>0.05) but greater than 47.7 gd^-1 for birds on basal diets (P<0.05). Yeast significantly improved live weight and the highest values were recorded for birds on the 0.08% yeast supplementation followed by those on 0.16% diet and lowest for birds on 0.32% supplementation. Final live weight of animals on the control ration was 1.73kg while the birds on the basal diet weighed 1.03Kg at slaughter but birds on the 0.08% yeast supplementation attained a weight of 1.66kg declining to 1.57kg for the birds fed 0.32% supplemental yeast. Average daily gain followed a similar trend as treatment effects were significant (P<0.05). Yea-sacc at 0.08%, 0.16% and 0.32% supplementation produced daily gain of 32.56g, 28.70g and 27.34g respectively. Yeasacc supplemented diets at 0.08% produced broilers with significantly heavier (P<0.05) back portions, drumsticks and thighs than the control or other levels of yeast inclusion. Variations in yields of gizzard, liver, spleen and kidney were similar (P>0.05). This study reinforced the potential and efficacy of Yea-sacc 1026(P) Yeast culture as a growth promoter in low protein diets for broiler chicks. Yea-sacc 1026(P) improved feed intake and feed efficiency in a low protein diet with appreciable contribution to enhancing carcass characteristics and organ weights at an optimum level of 0.08% dietary inclusion.

Keywords: Yea-sacc 1026(P) yeast, growth promoter, broiler chickens, performance, carcass characteristics

Tropical Veterinarian Vol. 22(2) 2004: 72-77