There is a famous saying that says work smarter not harder. In fact, I believe in this saying so much. Working smartly will raise the efficiency of everything you do, even in the simplest things. By applying this to the field of chicken breeding, we find that you can double its productivity and reduce losses if you search well and are very aware of what chickens need.
Access to information has now become easy, so it is good to constantly search to find any information in the interest of chickens. In order to assist you in improving the productivity of your poultry flock, we have touched on a very important topic, which is the use of yeast for chickens!
We have conducted research and collected for you the most important information about the use of yeast for chicken in a simple way. Let us explore the topic and learn about all aspects in the following lines.
Can Chickens Eat Yeast?
Yes, of course, chickens can eat yeast. Yeast is considered an appropriate food additive to overcome some of the potential limitations imposed by poultry feeding systems. Especially those on a large amount of vegetable protein, as they tend to contain a large amount of fiber compared to animal protein sources. Chicken can’t handle that much fiber, especially since it’s somewhat lacking in fiber-digesting enzymes.
It acts as a growth stimulator in poultry. Many studies conducted on yeast indicate that it is effective in improving feed efficiency in chickens, especially in broilers. It also promotes growth, the yeasts target grains and other food components and stimulate the digestion of vegetable proteins and fibrous materials.
Nutrition Value Of Yeast For Chickens
Here is a table that shows the nutrition value of yeast in each 100 gm of it [1]:
| Total Fat | 4.6g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.595g |
| Trans Fat | 0Mg |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.01g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2.562g |
| Cholesterol | 0 Mg |
| Sodium | 50mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 38.2g |
| Dietary Fiber | 21g |
| Sugars | 0Mg |
| Protein | 38.3g |
| Calcium | 64mg |
| Iron | 16.6mg |
| Potassium | 2000 mg |
Benefits Of Feeding Yeast To Chicken
So, why should feed yeast to your chicken? Here are the top reasons:
Increase Beneficial Bacteria
The nutrients resulting from yeast digestion promote microbial balance and the health of the digestive system of poultry. As these elements represent good food for beneficial bacteria.
They promote their growth and reproduction. Thus, the number of beneficial bacteria inside the intestine increases and outnumbers the number of pathogenic bacteria.
On the other hand, yeast leads to enhancing the microbial balance in the digestive system of chickens by reducing the number of other harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter.
Support Gut Integrity And General Health
The digestive system is lined with cells called epithelial cells that perform multiple functions. One of these functions includes protecting the blood from pathogens by preventing unwanted things and pathogens from leaking into the bloodstream.
The epithelial cells are separated by narrow junctions, but when the chicken is exposed to any of the causes of suffering such as diseases or heat stress, leakage occurs in these junctions, which leads to the passage of harmful things and pathogens into the bloodstream.
Yeast metabolites help narrow the junctions between epithelial cells and make them more compact, which reduces the passage of harmful substances into the bloodstream and thus supports poultry health and reduces diseases.
Improve The Absorption Of Nutrients
There are millions of villi lining the small intestine that are finger-like projections. These protrusions increase the surface area of the walls of the small intestine. which increases the area of the intestine for the absorption of nutrients.
One of the most important benefits of yeast is that it increases the density and height of villi. This leads to an increase in the surface area that absorbs nutrients which enhances growth and development.
Boost Immunity
Poultry researchers are always striving to develop supplements that support chicken immunity. Having a strong immunity that resists diseases will save many of the losses that result in disease. Where it reduces the use of medicines and reduces poor production and the death of members of the chicken flock.
Research has shown that metabolites resulting from the digestion of yeast support the immunity of poultry and enhance its resistance to diseases. Which makes it an excellent and cheap option to support the immunity of poultry.
Immunity plays an important role in increasing production by saving energy wasted trying to adapt when exposed to an immune challenge or stress. In the event that there is no strong immunity, the body is forced to use up to 10% of the nutrients to mount an immune response.
This energy can be saved for growth and production if the chickens have strong immunity. This was achieved when yeast was used as a supplement for chickens, as it was proven that yeast improved meat productivity in broiler chickens and increased the number, size, and quality of eggs in layers.
Raise Response To Vaccination In Chicks
The yeast components interact with the chicks’ immune cells, resulting in the activation of various immune pathways. This was proven by some experiments that poultry that received a yeast supplement from the first days of their life had higher levels of antibodies compared to chicks that did not take the supplement.
How To Serve Yeast To Chickens?
You can simply serve it in its dry form by mixing it with chicken feed and giving it to them. It can also be used to make fermented chicken paste. Yeast is dissolved in warm water with a temperature of 36-38 ° C. The temperature should not be higher than this ring so that the bacteria in yeast do not die.
10 g of yeast dissolved in 0.5 liters of warm water can be used for every 200 g of grain. Then they are mixed well and left for 4 hours. Then another 800 grams of grains are added and a liter of water is poured then left the mixture for another 4 hours for fermentation, then the chicken serves them.
How Often Should Chickens Be Fed Yeast?
Like any food additives or supplements, they should be moderated and not over-served to the chicken. Yeast should only be offered to chickens twice a week so that it does not cause any side effects. Excessive feeding of yeast to chickens leads to health problems such as diarrhea and inflammation of the intestines.
