A Novel Formulation of Synbiotics Fortified with Phytoactives for Augmentation of Performance, Meat and Litter Quality, Health, Gut Health and Gut Microflora in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance raised interest in probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics as alternatives for improving gut health in chickens. This feeding trial aims to assess the effectiveness of a synbiotic formulation with phytoactives (SFP). Methods: On the first day of the trial, 160 Cobb 430Y one-day-old chicks were procured from a hatchery and split into groupings: G1, G2, G3 and G4. Each group comprised four replicates of 10 birds. G1 was raised with no antibiotics growth promoter (AGPs) on typical commercial feed. While G2, G3 and G4 were reared on standard commercial feed, they were also given supplements of competitor product I (CP-I) at a rate of 500 g/ton, competitor product II (CP-II) at a rate of 100 g/ton and SFP at a rate of 150 g/ton, respectively. Result: Dietary SFP supplementation at 150 g/ton improves nutrient absorption, digestion, growth performance, feed efficiency, immunity and overall wellbeing, increasing poultry safety and recommended as an alternative to AGP in commercial broiler production.