Effect of probiotics, Saccharomyces spp.Kb-5 and Kb-8, in diets on growth performance and cholesterol levels in ducks

The study was conducted to determine the effect of the probiotics, Saccharomyces spp.Kb-5 and Saccharomyces spp.Kb-8, on growth performance, carcass characteristics, serum and meat cholesterol levels in ducks. Two hundred and forty 1-day-old healthy male ducks were randomly allocated to four treatment groups: A) basal diet (control), B) basal diet + 0.20% Saccharomyces spp.Kb-5, C) basal diet + 0.20% Saccharomyces spp.Kb-8, and D) basal diet + 0.10% Saccharomyces spp.Kb-5 + 0.10% Saccharomyces spp.Kb-8. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum and meat cholesterol levels were determined when the ducks were 56 days old. Saccharomyces spp.Kb-5 and Saccharomyces spp.Kb-8, and the incombination, increased bodyweight gains, feed efficiencies and carcass weight significantly, but not affect the amount of feed consumed. The administration of Saccharomyces spp. results in significant lower serum and meat cholesterol concentrations compared to the control. It was concluded that the addition of Saccharomyces spp.Kb-5 and Saccharomyces spp.Kb-8, and the incombination, in the diet increased growth performances, feed efficiency and carcass weight, and decreased serum and meat cholesterol concentrations in male ducklings.