Broiler performance and intestinal alterations when fed drug-free diets

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Poultry Nutrition
• Avian Health

Background:

• Investigating alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
• Coccidiosis remains a significant challenge in poultry, impacting bird health and performance.
• Understanding the effects of feed additives on broiler intestinal morphology and growth is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a drug-free feeding program on broiler performance and intestinal morphology.
• To compare the efficacy of specific feed additive combinations against a negative control and an antibiotic-containing diet.

Main Methods:

• Broiler chicks were assigned to four dietary treatments: negative control, antibiotic (Lincomycin), program 1 (multiple additives), and program 2 (Bio-Mos and All-Lac XCL).
• Growth performance (body weight, feed intake, feed conversion rate, mortality) was monitored over 49 days.
• Intestinal morphology of the duodenum, ileum, and ceca was assessed at multiple time points after a coccidial challenge.

Main Results:

• Broilers fed the antibiotic-containing diet (PC) showed numerically higher final body weight gain than the negative control (NC).
• Cumulative feed conversion rate at 49 days was improved in birds fed PC and program 2 (PG2) diets compared to NC.
• Mortality was significantly higher in the NC group compared to PC, PG1, and PG2 groups; cecal lamina propria was thicker in NC birds.

Conclusions:

• Feeding broilers without growth promoters resulted in increased mortality and reduced growth performance compared to antibiotic supplementation.
• The combination of Bio-Mos and All-Lac XCL in program 2 partially alleviated the negative effects of a drug-free diet.
• Dietary strategies can influence broiler intestinal morphology, with implications for overall health and performance.