Efficacy of dietary supplementary probiotics as substitutes for antibiotic growth promoters during the starter period on growth performances, carcass traits, and immune organs of male layer chicken

Abstract

Background and Aim: With the increased concerns about global protein supply, chicken meat, especially from male layer chicken, constitutes an alternative in terms of quality and carcass traits. Probiotics have been proposed for replacing antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs), which have been prohibited as poultry supplement feeds. The present study aimed to determine the efficacy of dietary supplementary probiotics during the starter period on growth performances, carcass traits, and immune organs of male layer chicken. Materials and Methods: In this study, one hundred and eighty 1-day-old male chicks from the strain ISA brown were used. They were divided into six groups according to the feed: 100% basal feed (T0), basal feed+2.5 g AGP/kg feed (T1), basal feed+probiotics 1 mL/kg feed (T2), basal feed+probiotics 3 mL/kg feed (T3), basal feed+probiotics 4 mL/kg feed (T4), and basal feed+probiotics 5 mL/kg feed (T5). Probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium spp.) were given at a concentration of 1.2×109 colony-forming unit/mL. Virginiamycin was used as AGP. ISA brown layer chicken was treated for 21 days. Growth performances (body weight, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio [FCR]), carcass traits (weight at slaughter, weight of the carcass, breast muscles, liver, lungs, kidneys, and heart), immune organs (spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius), and non-edible organs (head, legs, and wings) were analyzed. Results: Probiotic supplementation at 4 and 5 mL/kg feed (T4 and T5) during the starter phase improved the body weight, FCR, and feed consumption. The weight at slaughter, weight of the carcass, breast muscles, and liver from the T4 and T5 groups were significantly greater than those in the other treatment groups. In addition, the weight of the heart, lungs, and kidneys was increased in the T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 groups compared with that measured in the T0 group. Furthermore, there were significant differences regarding the immune organs between the T0 and the other treatment groups. The weight of the head, legs, and wings was also greater in the probiotic and AGP supplementation groups (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5) than that in the basal feed group (T0). Conclusion: Probiotic (L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, and Bifidobacterium spp.) supplementation at 4 and 5 mL/kg feed during the starter period can be used to improve the growth, carcass traits, and weight of immune organs in male layer chicken.

Effect of probiotics and acidifiers on feed intake, egg mass, production performance, and egg yolk chemical composition in late-laying quails

“…This study is in accordance with Agustono et al . [ 36 ], in which probiotics ( L. acidophilus , Lactobacillus plantarum , and Bifidobacterium spp.) with 1.2 × 10 9 concentration colony-forming units/mL showed positive results on growth performance (body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, and breast meat weight).…”

Regulatory Effects of the Probiotic <i>Clostridium butyricum</i> on Gut Microbes, Intestinal Health, and Growth Performance of Chickens

“…Probiotics are live microorganisms that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, modify the structure of intestinal microorganisms, and substantially contribute to animal health ( Vilà et al , 2010 ; Morelli and Capurso, 2012 ). In recent years, several studies have confirmed that developing green alternatives to antibiotics can solve various intestinal problems and maintain the balance of intestinal microorganisms, ultimately improving the health and production performance of poultry ( Xiao et al , 2021 ; Agustono et al , 2022 ; Kulkarni et al. , 2022 ; Luise et al , 2022 ).…”

Research Note: In ovo and in-feed probiotic supplementation improves layer embryo and pullet growth

“…These are live microbial feed supplements that can improve nutrient absorption, increase productivity, reduce chick mortality, and stimulate immunity ( Park et al, 2016 ). In this regard, few studies demonstrated the potential for dietary supplementation of probiotics in day-old chicks on improving growth in pullets and performance in adult layers ( Aksu et al, 2005 ; Agustono et al, 2022 ; Hahn-Didde and Purdum, 2016 ). Although most studies have focused on the effect of in-feed probiotic supplementation on layer growth and performance, optimum embryonic growth is critical to posthatch growth and performance ( Walstra et al, 2010 ; Willems et al, 2013 ).…”