Farms.com Home   News

Exploring yeast genetics to produce better chicken feed

A team of multidisciplinary University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers has hatched an innovative project to improve the health of chickens by upgrading the feed that they eat.

Dr. Natacha Hogan (PhD) and Dr. Chris Eskiw (PhD) with the College of Agriculture and Bioresources are examining how yeast byproducts, when added to the feed of hens, could improve the overall health of the hens and the quality of the eggs they lay.  

“This project explores novel strategies to enhance the health and productivity of laying hens through alternative in-feed additives,” said Hogan. “We are looking at ways to maximize the production of beneficial bioactive compounds from yeast that can be put into animal feed to help boost gut health and improve animal performance.” 

The project is one of more than 20 at USask to receive funding through the livestock and forage-focused portion of the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF), a provincial and federal government-supported program to provide funding to innovative agricultural research projects. The project also received support from industry partners Saskatchewan Egg Producers and Star Egg.  

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

World Pork Expo: Evonik monitors the impact of trypsin inhibitors in nursery pigs

Video: World Pork Expo: Evonik monitors the impact of trypsin inhibitors in nursery pigs

Dr. Maria Mendoza, Global Consulting Expert with Evonik, recently spoke to The Pig Site’s Sarah Mikesell at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, USA about the use of trypsin inhibitors in soy products and how that effects the digestion of amino acids. The variability of quality of the soy products can affect the rations of the soy products in the complete diet of the pigs. Evonik has monitoring services that can assist producers with determining the variability in their suppliers’ soy products.