Effects of Bacillus subtilis PB6 supplementation on productive performance, egg quality and hatchability in broiler breeder hens under commercial farm condition

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Bacillus subtilis PB6 supplementation on productive performance, egg quality and hatchability of broiler breeder hens. A total of 20,000 broiler breeder hens (ROSS 308), 57 weeks old, were assigned to the two equal groups as follows: The first group was fed a basal diet and the second group was fed the basal diet that supplemented with the Bacillus subtilis PB6 (2 × 10 7 cfu/g) at the rate of 1 g/kg of diet. Results indicated that adding Bacillus subtilis significantly improves egg production (P < 0.05). The body weights and egg weight were not affected by the dietary treatments (P > 0.05) but Bacillus subtilis improved the egg haugh unit (P < 0.05). Adding Bacillus subtilis significantly increased hatching egg, eggshell thickness and egg hatchability (P < 0.05). A highly significant improvement was noticed in the faecal score of the group fed with Bacillus subtilis (P < 0.01). Adding Bacillus subtilis increased the level of total cholesterol (P < 0.01) and decreased the blood heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (P < 0.01) in breeders' serum. It is concluded that Bacillus subtilis PB6 supplementation at the level of 1 g/kg of broiler breeder diet, significantly improve the egg production, egg quality, hatchability, faecal score and return on investment.

The Impact of Bacillus subtilis PB6 and Chromium Propionate on the Performance, Egg Quality and Nutrient Metabolizability of Layer Breeders

“…In the present study, Bacillus subtilis PB6 supplementation improved layer breeders’ performance, egg and eggshell quality. These results corroborated the study conducted by Darsi and Zhaghari [ 11 ], where 63-week-old broiler breeder hens fed diets supplemented with Bacillus subtilis PB6 (2 × 10 7 CFU/g) presented higher egg production compared to hens fed non-supplemented diets. These authors observed similar egg weight, but increased Haugh unit and shell thickness from 60 to 63 weeks of age.…”

“…Darsi and Zhaghari [ 11 ] also observed that Bacillus subtilis PB6 supplemented in diets for broiler breeders from 56 to 63 weeks of age resulted in a lower percentage of cracked and dirty eggs, obtaining a positive effect on settable eggs and hatchling healthiness. Additionally, other studies reported decreased broken, cracked and shell-less eggs when probiotics were used [ 4 , 32 , 37 ].…”

“…The increased eggshell thickness was already associated with the reduction in the number of cracked eggs, and it was suggested that the decreased damaged eggs could be caused by the increased calcium retention in layers [ 11 , 32 ]. In the current study, layer breeders fed diets supplemented with Bacillus subtilis PB6 probiotic presented higher specific weight and shell thickness as well as shell strength and shell percentage, mainly from 67 to 70 weeks of age or in the overall period.…”

“…In laying hens, Bacillus subtilis PB6 increased feed efficiency and reduced excreta moisture as well as cholesterol content in egg yolk and serum [ 7 , 8 ]. Other beneficial effects of this probiotic for hens were improvements in egg production, egg quality, nutrient digestibility and return on investment [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Interaction Effect of Vitamin E-selenium Supplementation and Metabolic Energy on Reproductive Performance of Joper Breeders

“…Interaction between metabolic energy level and single factor energy level and dose of vitamin Eselenium supplementation had no significant effect (Darsi & Zhaghari 2021). One of the declines in the quality of hatching eggs is influenced by the quality of the egg shell.…”