Yeast extract and prebiotic in pre-initial phase diet for broiler chickens raised under different temperatures

The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance, carcass yield and intestinal morphometry of broiler chickens raised under different temperatures that received feed with or without yeast extract and prebiotic in the pre-initial phase. One thousand four hundred and forty one-day old male chicks were used, raised in different climate chambers. Feed with or without the addition of yeast extract and prebiotic was offered only in the pre-initial phase (1 to 7 days). From the eighth day on, every chick received the same feed, readjusted according to usual recommendations. A randomized complete experimental design was used in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of three environmental temperatures (hot, comfort and cold) and two levels of yeast extract (with or without) and prebiotic (with or without). The performance of the birds was evaluated considering weight gain, feed intake, food conversion and viability at 42 days of age. Carcass yield and intestinal morphometry were also evaluated. Environmental heat impaired performance and carcass yield. Prebiotic inclusion in the pre-initial feed increased weight gain and enhanced food conversion of birds raised under hot conditions. The inclusion of products in the feed of broiler chickens raised in hot and cold environments has beneficial effects on chicken intestinal villi. Objetivou-se nesta pesquisa avaliar o desempenho, o rendimento de carcaça e a morfometria intestinal de frangos de corte criados em diferentes temperaturas e que receberam na fase pré-inicial ração contendo ou não extrato de leveduras e prebiótico. Foram utilizados 1.440 pintos machos de 1 dia de idade, criados em diferentes câmaras climáticas. As rações, acrescidas ou não de extrato de leveduras e prebiótico, foram oferecidas somente na fase pré-inicial (1 a 7 dias). A partir do oitavo dia, todas as aves receberam a mesma ração, reajustada de acordo com as recomendações usuais. Adotou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 3 × 2 × 2, composto de três temperaturas de criação (calor, conforto e frio) e dois níveis de extrato de leveduras (com ou sem) e prebiótico (com ou sem). O desempenho das aves foi avaliado considerando o ganho de peso, o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar e a viabilidade aos 42 dias de idade. Também foram avaliados o rendimento de carcaça e a morfometria intestinal. O calor ambiente prejudicou o desempenho e o rendimento de carcaça. A inclu