Abstract
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of a probiotic product (composition: Lactobacillus acidophillus (3.5 × 1011 CFU), Streptcoccus faecium (3.5 × 1011 CFU) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (3.5 × 1011 CFU)) on broiler performance. A total of 1200 one-day-old broilers were reared until 42 days of age, and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with 3 treatments (antibiotic, probiotic and control) with 10 replicates of 40 birds each. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and mortality were evaluated. Concerning weight gain, in the periods of 0-7 and 0-14 days of age, the group fed the antibiotic product presented higher values as compared with the other treatments. However, in the periods of 0-21, 0-28 and 0-35 days of age, birds fed the antibiotic presented higher weight gain only in relation to the control group. Feed intake differences were detected only in the initial period of 0-7 days of age, with the group fed the antibiotic product presenting higher feed intake as compared with that fed the probiotic product, although these groups were not different from the control group. No statistical difference was detected in feed conversion ratio among treatments in any of the evaluated age intervals. Mortality was different only in the period of 0-14 days of age, which was higher in the control group as compared with that of the birds fed the probiotic product, but it was not different from the group receiving the antibiotic. Treatment with probiotic product containing Lactobacillus acidophillus, Streptococcus faecium and Bifidobacterium bifidum does not affect broiler performance.
Highlights
There is an increasing demand for quality in animal products, as well as concerns about the effects of these products on human health
In the periods of 0 - 7 and 0 - 14 days of age, was higher in the group fed the antibiotic as compared with birds fed the probiotic product and the control group (P
In the study of Ramarao et al (2004) it was not possible to observe any influence of probiotics on broiler weight gain, as opposed to Kabir et al (2004), who obtained higher weight gain in broilers fed a probiotic product containing Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Streptococcus thermophilus, Enterococcus faecium, Aspergillus oryzae and Candida pintolopessi, in relation to the control birds in all rearing periods analyzed (2, 4, 5 and 6 weeks of age)
Summary
There is an increasing demand for quality in animal products, as well as concerns about the effects of these products on human health. In the periods of 0 - 7 and 0 - 14 days of age, was higher in the group fed the antibiotic as compared with birds fed the probiotic product and the control group (P
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