EFFECT OF YEAST (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF BROILER CHICKEN

Abstract

An experiment was conducted for 56 days to evaluate the effect of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation on the growth performance and haematological parameters of broiler chicken. The yeast was incorporated into the experimental diets at varying levels; 0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0% respectively to formulate five dietary treatments. A total number of one hundred and sixty five (165) unsexed day old Cobb" 500 broiler chicks were randomly allotted into five (3) dietary treatment groups. Each treatment group consisted of three (3) replicates of eleven (11) birds per replicate. Data were collected on the growth performance and haematological parameters of the broiler chickens. Results showed. that the yeast supplemented diet significantly (P<0.05) influenced growth performance of the experimental birds. Birds fed 3.0% yeast supplemented diet recorded the highest total weight gain (2044.80 g/b) and the best feed conversion ratio (1.94). Significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments were observed on all the haematological parameters except the mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, lymphocyte, haemoglobin and red blood cells. Values obtained in this study fell within the normal range recommended for healthy broiler chickens. It can therefore be concluded that yeast can be supplemented up to 3.0% in the diets of broiler chicken without any detrimental effect on the performance and the health status of broiler chicken.