Effect of the Bio Optimize® prebiotic on animal welfare and production variables of broiler chickens

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the use of the BIO OPTIMIZE® prebiotic on indicator variables of well-being and production of Ross 308 hybrid broiler chickens. Three treatments were evaluated: 1.- Control without the inclusion of the prebiotic; 2.-Prebiotic applied in the litter from day 9 and from day 21 in the drinking water and 3.-Prebiotic only applied in the litter from day 9 of the birds' productive cycle. 144 chickens were used in a completely randomized design, with three treatments, six repetitions and the experimental unit consisting of eight chickens. The environmental temperature and relative humidity of the breeding units were monitored, in addition to the temperature of the bedding and drinking water. Body temperature, hyperventilation levels, ammonia levels in the litter, feed consumption and conversion, and weight gain of the chickens were quantified. The temperature and relative humidity were outside the comfort range; there was a direct relationship between the environmental temperature and the temperature of the drinking water, while the temperature of the bed increased during the evaluation period. The application of BioOptimize® to the litter from 28 days onwards reduced ammonia levels in the breeding units, reduced body temperature and increased hyperventilation levels in the chickens. The best feed conversion index was obtained in the treatment without prebiotic derived from an inverse behavior in feed consumption.