Efficiency of an organic farming compatible yeast product to ensure the Riboflavin-supply of organically raised B.U.T. 6 turkey poults – Effects on animal performance and health

Abstract

Abstract With new European Union regulations and a change from synthetic production to GMO-based riboflavin manufacturing in the riboflavin producing industry, a gap in the riboflavin supply in organic monogastric nutrition emerged. This study investigates the efficacy of an organic farming compatible yeast product to ensure the riboflavin supply of male B.U.T. 6 turkey poults up to 28 days of age. The riboflavin recommendations of the NRC ( 1994) and GfE ( 1999) also seem to be outdated and have been replaced by new recommendations of the industry. To prove the efficacy of EcoVit R and to validate the recommendations of NRC and GfE, 576 one-day old male B.U.T. 6 turkeys were raised for 28 days at two locations under similar conditions. At both locations 24 pens with 12 turkeys were set up and 12 dietary treatments were created. The two amino acid concentrations HIGH (5.50Â g met/kg feed-mixture) and LOW (4.90Â g met/kg feed-mixture) included six riboflavin levels (HIGH.1 to HIGH.6 and LOW.1 to LOW.6), each, with decreasing riboflavin content from 7.50Â mg/kg feed-mixture (HIGH.1) to 2.30Â mg/kg feed-mixture (HIGH.6 and LOW.6). Individual body weights were taken at d 14 and 28 and feed consumption was recorded every week. In comparison to the LOW groups, HIGH groups showed higher feed consumption, final body weight and daily weight gain (PÂ <Â 0.05). Only riboflavin groups HIGH.6 and LOW.6 exhibited typical riboflavin deficiency symptoms and had lower performance, relating to feed consumption, final body weight and daily weight gain (PÂ <Â 0.05). No significant differences between the other riboflavin groups (HIGH.1 to HIGH.5 and LOW.1 to LOW.5) were found. The new riboflavin rich yeast product meets the requirements of turkey poults, without negative effects. The recommendation of 4.00Â mg/kg feed of the NRC ( 1994) and GfE ( 1999) can be confirmed, under limitations of this study.