Livestock Studies 1992, Vol 32, Num, 1-4     (Pages: 040-050)

Effect of Baker's Yeast on the Performance and Some Rumen Metabolites of Male Sheep

S. YALÇIN 1 ,D. KOÇAK 2 ,A. G. ÖNOL 1 ,A. ŞEHU 1 ,C. AKDENİZ 1

1 Ankara Üniv. Vet. Fak., Hayvan Besleme ve Belenme Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, ANKARA
2 Lalahan Hayvancılık Araştırma Enstitüsü, ANKARA
- This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of concentrate feeds containing 3-6 % baker's yeast on the performance and some rumen metabolites of male sheep.

Totally 24 male sheep aged 13-14 months were used. Sheep were divided into two treatment groups and one conrol group each containing 8 sheep.

The average daily live weight gains in the groups of control, 1 and 2 during experiment were 350.00, 356.25 and 350.00 g, respectively. Total feed dry matter consumptions per kg of live weight gain were found as 5.16, 4.76 and 4.91 kg, respectively. It was also found that baker's yeast had no adverse effects on pH, ammonia - nitrogen and total volatile fatty acid concentrations of rumen fluid.

As a result, it is concluded that baker's yeast can be used safely in the concentrate feeds of male sheep up to 6 %. Keywords : Sheep, yeast, performance, rumen metabolites