Reducing Stress Susceptibility of Broiler Chickens by Supplementing a Yeast Fermentation Product in the Feed or Drinking Water

Poultry are susceptible to stress induced as a response to common management practices such as vaccination, feed withdrawal, and rearing on reused litter as well as severe stressors such as high environmental temperature. These stressors can result in economic costs to producers that are associated with poor growth and disease. Functional metabolites in the yeast fermentation product Original XPCTM have previously shown positive effects on growth performance and immune function in a variety of livestock when incorporated into the diet. This study found that including either Original XPCTM in the feed or its liquid counterpart, AviCareTM, in the drinking water during the entire rearing period can reduce stress and improve the welfare of broiler chickens under many stressful situations