Effect of Yeast Type and Dose on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Growing Rabbits Fed Maize or Barley

Abstract

Background: The effects of the probiotics vary with the doses and strains used for this reason, a study was conducted over 35 days to determine the effect of live yeast supplementation in the diet of growing rabbits on growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility.Methods: A total of 60 New Zealand and California rabbits (5 weeks old, average body weight 0.881±0.015 kg) were housed in 30 cages. They were fed with a control diet based on alfalfa and maize or barley grains and supplemented with Procreatin®7 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I 1077) or Biosaf® SC47 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC Sc47) at three doses, namely 0, 6.4, or 12.8 ×109 CFU per kg basal diet.Result: The higher yeast concentration had a positive effect (P less than 0.01) on final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and carcass weight (CW). However, there were no significant differences in dry matter intake. As a result of this, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased (P less than 0.01). Significant increases (P less than 0.05) in nutrient digestibility (DM, OM, NDF and ADF) were observed with both grains. The use of yeast in maize and barley-based diets of rabbits has positive effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility.