Use of a commercial probiotic supplement in meat goats1

Abstract

Sixty-three Boer crossbred goats were used in 5 separate experiments (Exp. 1 to 5) to evaluate the effects of a commercial probiotic supplement on growth performance (Exp. 1 to 4), diet digestibility (Exp. 5), carcass traits (Exp. 3), and fecal bacterial populations (Exp. 4). Goats were either fed a commercially pelleted concentrate diet and supplemented with a commercial probiotic (PRO) that had shown anecdotal positive effects on goat growth and performance according to local goat producers, or they remained as controls. The dose of PRO used was within the labeled dose for sheep for all studies. For Exp. 1, goat BW and feed intake were measured and G:F was calculated every 7 d for 56 d. For Exp. 2 to 4, BW and feed intake were measured and G:F was calculated every 14 d. The first day of supplementation was considered d 0. Carcass traits were also collected at slaughter on d 57 for Exp. 3, and fecal samples were collected every 14 d for microbial culture for Exp. 4. For Exp. 5, which was a digestibility trial that lasted for 10 d, animals were placed in metabolic pens for collection of feces and orts. Growth performance of goats was not affected by probiotic supplementation, with the exception of performance in Exp. 2, in which ADG and G:F were improved (P < 0.03) in PRO goats compared with control goats on d 56 only (treatment x day interaction; P < 0.05), averaging 0.21 +/- 0.02 kg/d for PRO goats and 0.11 +/- 0.02 kg/d for control goats for ADG and 0.17 +/- 0.02 for PRO goats and 0.10 +/- 0.02 for control goats for G:F. Carcass weights and weights of fabricated cuts (shoulder, loin, leg, rack, shank, and total parts) as well as carcass length, leg circumference, loin eye area, and backfat were not influenced by PRO supplementation. Apparent digestibilities of OM, DM, NDF, ADF, CP, and GE (on a DM basis) were similar for the PRO and control treatments. Fecal culture analysis of Escherichia coli and coliforms, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium populations were not influenced by the PRO treatment. Overall, although the PRO treatment affected goat ADG and G:F in Exp. 2, no PRO treatment effects were noted on growth performance for Exp. 1, 3, and 4. Furthermore, the PRO treatment did not affect diet digestibility, carcass traits, or fecal microbial populations in goats. In conclusion, no consistent benefits were noted from supplementing healthy, growing meat goats with PRO.

Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Growth Performance of Crossbred Calves in an organized Cattle Farm

“…The final body weight was significantly (P<0.01) higher in calves fed with diets containing probiotics compared to control. The result of the present study was in accordance with Jaybal et al (2008) and Whitley et al (2009) those who stated that nutrient digestibility of feed was increased with adding of probiotics. The average daily weight gains were significantly (P<0.01) higher in treatment group (560.27±8.56) as compared to control group (512.28±6.52).…”

Effect of a Mushroom (<i>Coriolus versicolor</i>) Based Probiotic on Goat Health

“…Animal studies have shown that mushroom enriched diet have no effect on body weight (Handayani et al, 2011). Whitley et al (2009) reported that a commercial probiotic had no effect on body weight of goats as observed in treated animals in our study. Daneshmand et al (2011) showed that supplementation of Pleurotus ostreatus had no effect on weight gain in mice during the entire experiment.…”

Influence of Probiotics on Coccidia, <i>H</i>. Contortus and Markers of Infection in Goats

“…In cattle, limited probiotic influence was observed due to the ability of ruminants to degrade most probiotics (Callaway et al, 2008). More recently, Whitley et al (2009) reported that supplementing healthy, growing meat goats' diet with probiotics conferred no consistent benefits. Further study is warranted in two key areas: (1) on the influence of probiotics on coccidia, H. Contortus and pro-inflammatory cytokines in goats and (2) Supplemental treatment for parasite infection in addition to probiotic supplementation.…”

“…The clinical state of infection is one of the main factors responsible for kid mortality in pre-and post-weaning periods (Donkin and Boyazoglu, 2004). Using commercial probiotics, Whitley et al (2009) evaluated production performance in meat goats and reported no significant gains. However, limited studies have looked at the role probiotics play in disease progression in goats.…”