The effects of yeast derivatives and adult cecal droppings on growth parameters and intestinal morphology in commercial broilers

The development of the intestine and early establishment of commensal bacteria is important for rapid growth and enteric disease resistance of the modern broiler. Three studies measured the impact of yeast derivatives in diets of broilers. The objective of the first study was to determine if yeast products alone or in combination effected performance or gut morphology of broilers during a mild coccidia challenge. Day-old Cobb 500 chicks were placed in floor pens on litter seeded with coccidia and fed diets with or without yeast products. The objectives of the second and third studies were to 1) evaluate the effect of feeding cecal droppings collected from heavy (HW) or low weight (LW) broilers on performance and 2) to determine if dietary supplementation with yeast derivatives would effect growth and gut morphology in broilers fed the cecal droppings from HW or LW populations. Cobb 500 chicks were divided into two groups (HW or LW microflora; n=1400/group) and given access to the cecal droppings for a period of 48 hours then given 1 of 4 diets. The results from the studies showed that in a challenge setting, yeast products were not detrimental to growth. Inclusion of single yeast derivative or nucleotides was more beneficial than combination of these products for intestinal morphology. Cecal droppings from HW vs. LW birds did not have an effect on performance of birds. However, interactions of cecal dropping source and diet did affect intestinal morphology.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Animal and Poultry Sciences

Department dc:contributor.department

Animal and Poultry Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Van Wyhe, Robert

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• McElroy, Audrey P.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Bedford, Mike
• Dalloul, Rami A.

• Yeast
• Bacteria
• Intestine
• Cecum

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-07242009-100131

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34146