Response of large white gilts to diets containing differing probiotic products

Abstract

A study was carried out to ascertain the effects of three probiotic products (RE3, RE3 PLUS and a combination of RE3 and P3) on the growth performance, blood profile and gut E. coli count of growing-finishing gilts. Sixteen Large White gilts of an average initial weight of 41.66 ± 4.55 kg were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments (T1- Control, basal diet without probiotics, T2- 1 ml RE3 per kg feed, T3- 1 ml RE3 PLUS per kg feed and T4- 1 ml RE3 + 0.5 ml P3 per kg feed) in a randomized complete block design. Gilts were fed on 18% CP diet and the probiotics were added each day before feeds were offered. The growing-finishing gilts were offered 4% body weight of feed until they attained a body weight of 80 ± 2.5kg. However, water was provided ad libitum. Weighing was done weekly for gilts and feed offered was adjusted accordingly. Blood samples were taken from gilts at the start and end of the study for haematological, serum biochemical and immunological studies. Faecal samples were also taken from gilts for E. coli count at the end of the study. Results obtained indicated that the addition of the three different types of probiotics did not influence (p > 0.05) growth performance, economics of production, gut E. coli composition and immunological profile. Basophil level decreased (p < 0.05) significantly in probiotics-supplemented gilts at the end of the study but all values recorded were within the normal range. It was concluded that except basophils levels, the probiotics used did not seem to influence growth performance, blood profile and gut E. coli count of growing-finishing gilts.