Dietary inclusion of different multi-strain complex probiotics; effects on performance in broilers

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Poultry Nutrition
• Microbiology

Background:

• Probiotics are increasingly used in animal feed to enhance health and performance.
• Understanding the specific effects of different probiotic formulations is crucial for optimizing broiler production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of two distinct complex probiotic supplements (Probiotic A and Probiotic B) on broiler chickens.
• To assess effects on growth performance, meat quality, gut microflora, nutrient retention, blood parameters, and gas emissions.

Main Methods:

• 612 Ross 308 broilers were divided into three groups: control (basal diet), Probiotic A supplemented, and Probiotic B supplemented.
• Diets were administered from day-old for the entire experimental period.
• Parameters measured included body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, meat quality, excreta microflora, nutrient retention, blood profiles, and gas emissions.

Main Results:

• Probiotic supplementation significantly improved body weight gain in broilers.
• Fecal Lactobacillus counts were significantly increased in broilers fed probiotics.
• No significant effects were observed on feed conversion ratio, feed intake, meat quality, nutrient retention, blood metabolic profile, or noxious gas emissions.

Conclusions:

• Both multi-strain probiotic supplements demonstrated beneficial effects on broiler growth performance.
• Probiotics positively influenced drip loss percentage and increased fecal Lactobacillus populations.
• Further research may be needed to explore potential impacts on other measured parameters under different conditions.