This study aimed to investigate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on apparent digestibility and hen-day egg performance of layers fed palm kernel cake-based diet. A total of 100 layers of Dominion breed were randomly divided into 4 groups (SC0, SC6, SC8 and SC10) of 25 birds each. Groups SC6 to SC10 diet were supplemented with different levels of S. cerevisiae (0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 g/kg of feed respectively) while group SC0 had no S. cerevisiae (control). Water was given ad libitum. At their peak of egg lay, 3 birds were randomly selected from each group and placed in four different cages for digestibility study. The birds were allowed 2 weeks to acclimatize. Birds were fed 140 g of feed/bird/day. Fecal samples were collected every 2 days. Feed and faeces were proximately analyzed and the results were used to determine apparent digestibility coefficients. Results showed that the level of 1.0 g/bird/d of S. cerevisiae had the highest (linear and quadratic effects P<0.001) values of dry matter, organic matter, crude fiber and crude protein. The increases were paralleled with increasing level of SC. it also, had the highest (quadratic effect, P=0.015) hen-day egg performance. The results revealed that S. cerevisiae supplementation increased both apparent digestibility and hen-day egg performance. The S. cerevisiae inclusion level of 1.0 kg of diet was recommended for optimum digestibility and maximum egg laying performance in palm kernel cake – based diet.

Login Required

Please login to access the full PDF of this article.

🔑 Author Login