Effects of different levels of synbiotic administration on growth performance and response to post-hatch necrotic enteritis in Cobb-500 broilers

Abstract

The poultry sector worldwide faces low productivity and struggles for the control of enteric disorders such as necrotic enteritis (NE), despite its demand. The experiments were carried out on Cobb-500 broilers to assess the effects of various levels of synbiotic (recommended level, 25% and 50% higher than recommended) on growth performance and intestinal lesions. The chicks were divided into three treatment groups and a control group in the initial trial. The second trial included in ovo chicks and normal chicks with varying levels of synbiotic through the feed. Coccivac D2®, a commercial vaccine, was administered at a concentrated dose (10 times higher) to initiate NE. The results showed that increased levels of synbiotic up to 50% higher than the suggested levels significantly increased weight gain. The feed conversion ratio was noticeably greater during the final 2 weeks. The groups supplemented with synbiotic had reduced scores for necrotic lesions, suggesting protection against NE. Increased synbiotic levels have been shown to improve growth performance and reduce NE. Furthermore, these results highlighted the potential of synbiotic as growth promoter that play a protective role against NE. However, more research is necessary to fully understand the consequences and expenses associated with increased levels of synbiotic in broilers.