Effect of feeding a commercial ammonia binding product De-Odorase™ on broiler chicken performance

Abstract

Ammonia production in commercial poultry sheds poses a problem for farmers as high levels can affect animal's respiratory health, resulting in hock and foot pad lesions and thereby affecting performance. A study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of whole, chopped and dried Yucca schidigera (De-Odorase™, Alltech Inc, USA) to reduce ammonia excretion from broilers and investigate the impact on broiler performance. Nine hundred and two, one-day-old Cobb broilers were randomly assigned to one of two diets, without (control) or supplemented with 500 g/t De-Odorase™. Birds fed the treatment diet had significantly higher body weight (P < 0.05) at 42 d and improved FCR (P < 0.05). Significant reductions in ammonia from litter were reported at 37 and 42 days old (P < 0.05 and P < 0.1, respectively). No significant differences were seen in foot pad, gait score, feather score or carcass data; although the birds fed De-Odorase™ had consistent numerical improvements in these parameters. The results of this study suggest that feeding whole, chopped and dried Yucca schidigera as a functional ingredient in the diet can be part of an ammonia management programme to improve broiler welfare and zootechnical performance.