The Relationship Between Yeast and Mold Populations in Litter of Broilers Fed Dietary Fungistatic Compounds

Abstract Two experiments were conducted at two institutions, to study the effect of fungistatic compounds in broiler diets. Dietary fungistatics were sorbic acid, 400 ppm;sorbic and adipic acids, combination at 200 ppm each; gentian violet, 8 ppm and calcium propionate, 1000 ppm. Two levels of feed-moisture (12 and 14%) were used at one institution while two litter types (new and old) were used at the other. Microbiological analysis for yeast and mold populations were made immediately before birds were placed in pens and every 2 weeks thereafter for a period of 8 weeks. The addition of fungistatic compounds to broiler diets altered the growth patterns of yeast and mold in both old and new litters. Data also indicated a definite interception between yeast and mold growth rates in litters. Fungistatic compounds used in this study showed a more pronounced effect on the mold population than on the yeast population. Regardless of the litter type or the moisture content, a sharp reduction in the mold population accompanied by a sharp increase in the yeast count was observed at different time intervals during the study.