Replacement of soybean meal with yeast single cell protein in broiler ration: the effect on performance traits

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacement of soybean meal with yeast single cell protein (yscp) on broiler performance. a total of 120 chicks were grouped as yscp-0,yscp-3.5,yscp-7.0 and yscp-10.5 having replacement of yscp at the level of 0,3.5,7.0 and 10.5g/kg feed,respectively. this addition was associated with concurrently removal of same quantity of soybean meal from the respective rations. each group had 3 replicates of 10 chicks each. the trial was continued for 35 days after a week of adaptation period. in overall,birds' body weight was significantly increased with an increasing replacement levels of yscp (p<0.05). maximum body weight was recorded in group fed yscp-10.5. feed intake was not affected by yscp,whereas feed conversion ratio was significantly (p<0.05) decreased by yscp in broiler chicks. dressing percentage and weight of giblets were not affected in all the groups. lower mortality was recorded in yscp treated groups as compared to control,although non-significant. the results indicated that the yscp improved positively the performance of the broilers. copyright 2014 zoological society of pakistan.