Traditional approaches to controlling levels of ammonia in confined animal facilities have involved modification of ventilation and waste handling systems. Still other approaches involved the use of compounds such as zeolites and extract of the Y.schidigera plant in animal feed. The Yucca extract inhibits the enzyme urease or binds ammonia.

Antimicrobial agents reduce the number of ureolytic organisms and urea hydrolysis in chickens. Zinc bacitracin acts to modify the intestinal flora as well as the gut wall structure.

Yucca extract in combination with zinc bacitracin may improve the performance and decrease ammonia production by the means of inhibiting fermentative losses and enchancing metabolizability.