The effects of a quillaja and yucca combination on performance and carcass traits of coccidia-vaccinated broilers exposed to an enteric disease challenge

A series of 6 floor pen trials was conducted to determine the effects of a quillaja and yucca combination product on the performance and carcass traits of growing broiler chickens vaccinated for coccidiosis at the hatchery. In each of the trials graded levels (0, 250, and 500 ppm) of a quillaja and yucca combination (QY) were fed to Ross 708 broilers for the duration of each 42 d test. Trials were arranged in completely randomized block designs involving a minimum of 11 blocks per trial. At the start of each trial, pens contained 55 broilers. In order to provide each bird with an enteric disease challenge, 5 kg commercial broiler litter containing 10(4) CFU Clostridium perfringens per gram was placed in each pen. In addition, the sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina and E. maxima were added to each pen at the outset of each test. At d 21 of the trials, coccidial lesion scores, mortality and performance were determined; final performance and total mortality were assessed at 42 d. At the completion of each test, 10 birds of average body weight per pen were selected for carcass evaluations; whole and chilled carcass yield were determined, and pre- and post-chill breast measurements were made. A combined analysis of the results of the 6 trials (75 replications per treatment) was used to determine treatment effects and each variable was assessed by linear regression analysis. Results indicated that QY significantly reduced mortality and coccidial lesions scores at d 21 (P < 0.05). Performance was significantly improved by both levels of QY at 21 and 42 d, and significant linear effects were observed for these variables (P < 0.05). All carcass characteristics were significantly improved by QY administration and significant linear responses were observed for each carcass variable (P < 0.05). These results indicate that by reducing intestinal disease challenge, QY provided linear improvements in performance. In addition, QY positively affected carcass parameters as each variable responded linearly to QY feeding (P < 0.05).