Using of Poppy Seed Meal and Yeast Culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as an Alternative Protein Source for Layer Hens

This study was carried out to determine the effects of diets containing different amounts of poppy seed meal (PSM) and yeast culture (S. cerevisiae) on performance and egg quality parameters of laying hens. A total of 160 laying hens, 40 weeks old, were divided into four groups of 40 hens each, which were in turn subdivided into four subgroups of 10 hens' experimental replicates. The animals in experimental groups were fed with diets containing 7.5% PSM plus 0.1% yeast culture (Group I), 15% PSM plus 0.1% yeast culture (Group II), and only 0.1% yeast culture (Group III), respectively. The poppy seed meal addition up to 7.5 and 15% increased feed consumption values significantly (P<0.01). Egg production and feed efficiency values were not significantly affected (P>0.05). The highest mean egg weight value was defined in the Group II. In addition eggshell thickness values were significantly lower in the control group than in experimental groups. PSM and yeast culture together can be efficiently used in laying hen diets as a protein source.