Effect of Baker’s Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Inclusion in Feed and in Drinking Water on Performance of Broiler Birds

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the effect of Baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) inclusion in feed and in drinking water on the performance of broiler birds.
Study Design: Yeast in feed and in drinking water were laid out in Completely Randomized Design while yeast in water/feed was a factorial experiment ( 2 factors: level and route of application) with 5 application levels. Each study was replicated 3 times.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. The study lasted for 8 weeks.
Material and Methods: 450 Anak broiler chicks were used for the study. 150 chicks each for yeast in feed, yeast in drinking water and in feed/drinking water. Graded levels (0.5g kg-1l-1, 1.0g kg-1l-1, 1.5g kg-1l-1 and 2.0g kg-1l-1 of feed and drinking water given ad libitum only by day to chicks and through the finisher phase. They were fed broiler starter during the starter period and broiler finisher during the finisher period. They were allowed to run together on deep litter for acclimatization before separation into 5 groups with 3 replications each. Feed was fed by day only while drinking water was given ad libitum. Diets were formulated using Excel feed formulation and feeding models [1] and analyzed using Association of Official Analytical Chemists [2] while all data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences [3].
Results: Broiler birds that received yeast supplementation in feed performed better than those with supplementation in water. Supplementation in both feed and water had no additive effect. Best results were in yeast inclusion levels of 1.0g yeast in feed and in drinking water.There was no interaction in yeast fed in water and in feed and therefore has no additive effect.
Conclusion: Best results were in yeast inclusion levels of 0.5g and 1.0g. This study recommends 0.5g yeast inclusion in feed.