Effects of Humate and Yucca Schidigera Supplementation on Slaughter Weight, Carcass Performance, Intestinal Morphology, Ileal Digestibility and Antioxidant Capacity In Broilers

This study examined the effects of humate (H; Farmagülatör DRY™), Yucca schidigera (Y; Vizyonmix BF2338 Biopowder), and their combination (HY) on slaughter weight, carcass characteristics, intestinal morphology, ileal digestibility, and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens. A total of 240 Ross 308 broilers were allocated to four dietary groups: control (C), H (300 mg/kg humate), Y (100 mg/kg Yucca schidigera ), and HY (both additives). After a 42-day feeding trial, the HY group demonstrated the highest slaughter weight (2967.65 g), carcass weight (2049.21 g), breast weight (885.40 g), and thigh weight (710.10 g; P = 0.001 ). It was determined that the highest carcass (69.00%), breast (29.80%), and thigh (23.90%) yields were obtained in the HY group, followed by the Y, H, and C groups, respectively ( P < 0.05 ). At day 42, among the intestinal morphology parameters (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), villus height and width increased in the groups supplemented with feed additives compared with the C group, whereas crypt depth decreased ( P < 0.001 ). The highest villus height and width, as well as the lowest crypt depth, were observed in the HY group. The HY group showed the highest ileal digestibility of crude protein (87.11%), crude fat (88.08%), and organic matter (80.92%) on day 21 ( P < 0.001). In terms of antioxidant parameters, both HY and Y groups exhibited higher levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant status, and high density lipoprotein, along with lower levels of triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, cholesterol, total oxidant status, lactate dehydrogenase, and malondialdehyde (P < 0.05 ). These findings suggest that combining humate and Yucca schidigera has synergistic effects, improving slaughter weight, carcass characteristics, intestinal health, and antioxidant defense, thereby highlighting their potential as effective feed additives in broiler production.