Effect of RISCO-NUTRIFOUR Probiotic on Growth and Carcass Traits in Broilers During Starter and Grower Phases

The growing concern over antibiotic resistance has prompted the exploration of probiotics as sustainable alternatives in poultry production. This study evaluated the effects of a multi-strain, multi-genera probiotic supplement (RISCO-NUTRIFOUR solution (RNFS), administered via drinking water (Days 1-14) and feed (Days 15-28)) on broiler performance and carcass characteristics over a 28-day period. A total of 288 day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to six treatments: T0-no probiotic supplementation (0.0% RNFS); T1-T3: RNFS at 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4%, respectively; T4: Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) at 0.1%; and T5: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) at 0.1%. Body weight gain (BWG), daily feed intake (DFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded during Days 0-14, 14-28, and cumulatively (0-28). On Day 28, relative weights of breast, legs, wings, proventriculus, heart, kidney, pancreas, liver, and lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen, bursa of Fabricius) were also measured. Broilers receiving RNFS, particularly at the 0.2% level, showed significant improvements in final average body weight and BWG during the grower phase (Days 14-28), compared to the control groups. Carcass traits were largely unaffected, except for a significant increase (22.54%) in gizzard weight in the 0.2% RNFS group. In conclusion, RNFS supplementation at 0.2% proved most effective, significantly enhancing growth performance and numerically improving feed efficiency in broilers, supporting its potential as a practical alternative to single-strain probiotics.