Influence of a probiotic on broiler performance

Abstract

-The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of a probiotic product (composition:Lactobacillus acidophillus (3.5 × 10 11 CFU), Streptcoccus faecium (3.5 × 10 11 CFU) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (3.5 × 10 11 CFU)) on broiler performance. A total of 1200 one-day-old broilers were reared until 42 days of age, and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with 3 treatments (antibiotic, probiotic and control) with 10 replicates of 40 birds each. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and mortality were evaluated. Concerning weight gain, in the periods of 0-7 and 0-14 days of age, the group fed the antibiotic product presented higher values as compared with the other treatments. However, in the periods of 0-21, 0-28 and 0-35 days of age, birds fed the antibiotic presented higher weight gain only in relation to the control group. Feed intake differences were detected only in the initial period of 0-7 days of age, with the group fed the antibiotic product presenting higher feed intake as compared with that fed the probiotic product, although these groups were not different from the control group. No statistical difference was detected in feed conversion ratio among treatments in any of the evaluated age intervals. Mortality was different only in the period of 0-14 days of age, which was higher in the control group as compared with that of the birds fed the probiotic product, but it was not different from the group receiving the antibiotic. Treatment with probiotic product containing Lactobacillus acidophillus, Streptococcus faecium and Bifidobacterium bifidum does not affect broiler performance.

Evaluation of Probiotic Potential of Some Native Lactobacillus Strains on the Growth Performance and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) during Rearing Period

“…These results are consistent with those of Pelicano et al (2004) and Gunal et al (2006) in broilers, and Cakir et al (2008) and Babazadeh et al (2011), who did not find any significant effect of probiotics on feed intake of Japanese quails, whereas Corrêa et al (2003) and Bitterncourt et al (2011) showed that dietary probiotics reduced the feed intake of broilers. Alkhalf et al (2010) reported that a probiotic level of 0.8 g/kg feed enhanced the live performance of broilers compared with the control diet and that with 1.6 g probiotic/kg.…”

<b>Performance and carcass yield of female broilers fed with diets containing probiotics and symbiotics as an alternative to growth enhancers

“…The results obtained corroborate with the observations of Caramori et al (2008) and Bitterncourt et al (2011). These authors suggested the possibility of using probiotics as a substitute for antibiotics, since the first is safe feed additive (GRAS) for the subsequent use of meat for human consumption.…”

Use of probiotics in diets of animal or vegetable origin for broilers

“…Similar results were obtained by Bittencurt et al (14), who evaluated the effect of probiotics on the performance of broiler chickens. The results of feed conversion were similar to those obtained by Appelt et al (7) from 1-21 days.…”

“…Resultados semejantes fueron obtenidos por Bittencurt et al (14) que evaluaron la influencia de los probióticos sobre el desempeño de pollos de engorde. Los resultados da conversión alimenticia fueron semejantes a los obtenidos por Appelt et al (7) durante el período de 1 a 21 días.…”