Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Yucca schidigera Extract on the Performance and Litter Quality of Broilers in Winter Season

The present experiment was designed to study the effect of dietary supplementation of Yucca schidigera extract (YSE) on growth, litter quality, the general health and hygiene in broiler rearing over a six-week period. Day-old broiler chicks (n=120) of equal sex ratio were randomly divided into two dietary groups (YSE and Control); each treatment had three replications of 20 chicks each. The rearing conditions were similar for both the groups, and were as per the standard practices in vogue. Data pertaining to growth of birds, pathogen load of litter and general health and sanitation outlook was recorded. The average BW at 6th week of the experiment was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Yucca group (1995 g) than the control group (1822 g) with lesser feed intake in Yucca group than control group, which ultimately proves better feed conversion rate, protein efficiency ratio, and energy efficiency ratio in broiler production. The Total Bacterial Count was reduced significantly (P<0.05) due to supplementation of YSE. Foot pad and breast blister score was almost nil in both the group. Intensive cake formation of litter in control group was more than that of treatment group. Dietary manipulation with Yucca improved the desirable traits like weight gain and feed efficiency. Litter quality was improved due to better micro-climatic conditions. Hence, it is concluded that Yucca extract could be safely used at a level of 125 mg per kg BW without any adverse effect on growth and health of broilers.