ARS | Publication request: Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria supplementation in broiler diets

Submitted to: International Poultry Forum Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 3, 2007
Publication Date: January 22, 2007
Citation: Corzo, A., Kidd, M.T., Miles, D.M., Dozier, W.A., Cheeke, P.R. 2007. Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria supplementation in broiler diets [abstract]. International Poultry Scientific Forum. p. 64.

Technical Abstract: Yucca schidigera and quillaja saponaria are both rich in saponins and polyphenolic compounds, and have been associated with supplementary effects that improve livestock production with some ammonia emission reduction characteristics. Thus, a broiler study evaluated live performance, carcass characteristics, lymphoid organs, immune responses, intestinal histology, and litter pH, N %, moisture %, and ammonia flux. Ross x Ross 708 male broilers were fed either a corn-soybean meal-poultry meal control (C) diet, the C diet plus an antibiotic (BMD), C diet plus supplementation with 100 ppm of yucca schidigera and quillaja saponaria (YQ), or the C diet supplemented with 150 ppm of YQ. Feed were provided in a 3 phase program either as crumbles (0-7d/prestarter; 7-21d/starter) or pellets (21-42d). Body weight at 7, 21, and 42 d was unaffected by the dietary treatments. Cumulative feed conversion was also unaffected at 7 and 21 d, but a trend (P=0.08) was observed at 42 d, where both YQ supplemented diets were superior along with the BMD diet when compared to the C treatment. Furthermore, the aforementioned treatments had superior (P<0.01) livability at 21 and 42 d when compared to the birds fed the C diet. Bursa and spleen relative weights were unaffected by dietary treatments. Immune responses, expressed as a primary antibody response to SRBC inoculation and % inflammation to PHAP, were not affected by the dietary treatments fed. Carcass traits were similar among treatments. Jejunal-villi length and width did not differ between the treatments fed. Litter characteristics and ammonia emission were similar across all treatments. Trends were observed in live production and livability that indicate beneficial effects of YQ supplementation in commercial broiler diets. However, further research is warranted to corroborate such results and further evaluate potential ammonia emission reductions.