Yucca schidigera Liquid Extract Enhances Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Liver Antioxidative Function, and Welfare Indices of Broilers

This study was planned to evaluate the impacts of Yucca schidigera supplementation in drinking water on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, liver anti-oxidative function, and welfare indices of commercial broilers. A total of 320 one-day-old Cobb 500 chicks were divided into four treatment groups (80 chicks/group). The first control group (G1) was fed with the basal diet without supplementation of Y. schidigera extract. The second, third and fourth groups (G2, G3, and G4) were fed with Y. schidigera extract supplementation rate of 5, 10, and 15ml/200L to drinking water, respectively. The chicks that received Y. schidigera demonstrated the best production performances as compared to the control group. The chicks that received yucca showed a significant decrease in litter nitrogen content when compared to the non-supplemented group. The chicks that received liquid Y. schidigera had reduced total bacterial counts (p<0.05), Escherichia coli, and a non-significant increase in the number of lactic acid-producing bacteria. They also showed increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and decreased levels of lipid peroxidation biomarkers, without a harmful effect on liver and kidney function. In conclusion, the use of natural additives is necessary to improve growth performance, and nutrient digestibility, decrease nitrogen losses, feed cost, and environmental pollution.