Abstract
In order to investigate the effect of feeding live yeast on growth performance, nutrients utilization, tibia mineral deposit and intestinal microorganism changes, a growth assay was conducted with 360 broiler chicks. Treatments were four levels of yeast as 0, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1% in 1.83% tricalcium phosphate and two levels of yeast as 0 and 0.05% in 1.15% tricalcium phosphate. The crude protein content of live yeast was 45%, and 97% of it was in the pure protein form, with 46.6% of essential amino acids and 53.4% of non-essential amino acids. Growth performance was tended to increase by feeding the yeast but there was no significant difference(P>.05). The protein digestibility was increased as the feeding level of yeast increased. However, digestibilities of fat, fiber, calcium and phosphorus were not affected by the yeast. Ash and calcium content of tibia were increased as the level of yeast increased. Total number of E. coli in small intestine was significantly decreased(P<.05) in chicks fed yeast. Total number of Lactobaci1lus was significantly increased by the yeast feeding. The changes of microorganism in cecum had the same trend with the changes of microorganism in small intestine.
