Effect of Using Yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) and Mushroom (Pleurotus Ostreatus) as Natural Feed Additives on Productive and Immune Response of Broiler Chicks

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae) and mushroom (pleurotus ostreatus) as natural feed additives on the productive and immune response of broilers. 375 Cobb broiler chicks, aged one day-old were supplied from one of the commercial hatchery, individually weighed and assigned randomly to five equal experimental groups of 75 birds each. Birds of each group were further subdivided into three replicates of 25 birds each and housed in floor pens with clean wood shavings. A basal diet was contains 3000 kcal ME/kg and 23% crude protein during the starter period till 21 day followed by 3100 kcal ME/kg and 21%crude protein during the finisher period till 42 day. One of the 5 experimental groups was fed this diet as such to serve as control. The second and third group feed basal diet supplemented with 1or 2g yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae).The fourth and fifth group feed control basal diet supplemented with 1 or 2g mushroom (pleurotus ostreatus). Feed and water were submitted add libitum. All chicks of the experimental groups were reared under the same managerial, healthy and environmental condition, through the whole experimental periods that lasted to 42days of age. Our present data can be summarizes as follows, birds fed different levels of yeast or mushroom recorded a better means of body weight change and feed conversion compared to those of control group. Birds fed 1,2g yeast or 2g mushroom consumed less (P≤0.05) compared with other two treatments group, that which consumed approximately similar amount of feeds. Chicks fed either yeast or mushroom containing diet, recorded a significant improvement in viability rate. At the end of 42 days of ages, birds fed 1 or 2 g yeast/kg containing diet recorded heavier (P≤0.05) carcass weight percentage and total edible parts compared to control groups. The relative weights of pancreas, bursa of fabricius and thymus were significantly (P≤0.05) improved in groups fed either 1, 2g yeast or 1, 2g mushroom containing diet. In conclusion, yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae) or mushroom (pleurotus ostreatus) could be safely used in broiler feeding as natural feed additives at 2g /kg feed with superior effects on their productive and immune response.