Abstract
ABSTRACTA study was conducted to examine how supplementation using probiotics and whey powder affects microflora population, ileum morphology, and growth performance in broilers. In this experiment, 400 one-day-old male chickens were randomly assigned into four groups: the control group (CON), the probiotics group (0.2%) (PRO), the whey powder group (4%) (WHP), and a group that received a combination of probiotics (0.2%) and whey powder (4%) (PRO-WHP). Microflora populations as well as ileum morphology were assessed on day 42 and growth performance parameters were measured at the end of the rearing period (day 42). The findings indicated that the PRO-WHP group had the largest Lactobacillus count (P < .05) while the lowest Escherichia coli count was found in the WHP. No significant difference was found between the PRO group and the WHP (P > .05) for villus:crypt ratio. The largest feed intake and body weight gain were observed in the PRO-WHP group. In addition, the PRO-WHP group had the best feed conversion ratio, but was not significantly different from the PRO and the WHP groups. Our experiment indicated that adding whey powder alone or in combination with probiotics can improve broiler performance by modifying intestinal microflora and changing intestinal morphology.
Highlights
Growth-promoting antibiotics are among feed additives used to prevent growth of intestinal pathogens and improve growth performance in broilers
Our experiment indicated that adding whey powder alone or in combination with probiotics can improve broiler performance by modifying intestinal microflora and changing intestinal morphology
The largest E. coli count was found in the control group (CON) group, which was significantly higher compared to the other groups (P < .05)
Summary
Growth-promoting antibiotics are among feed additives used to prevent growth of intestinal pathogens and improve growth performance in broilers. Different studies attempting to find alternatives to growth-promoting antibiotics suggest that these antibiotics can be replaced by probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, or herbs (Dibner and Richards 2005; Windisch et al 2007; Darabighane and Nahashon 2014; Zhang et al 2015; Abudabos et al 2017) Among these animal and poultry feed additives, probiotics and prebiotics have drawn considerable attention. Results of experiments on chickens with coccidiosis indicated the effectiveness of probiotics in improving growth performance and mitigating unfavourable effects of Eimeria (Ritzi et al 2014) Another feed additive with prebiotic-like effects is whey powder. Only a limited number of studies have examined effects of whey powder, and the present study aims to investigate effects of supplementing diets with probiotics, whey powder, and mixture combination
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