Journal of Animal Research: v.5 n.1, p. 155-160. April. 2015
DOI Number: 10.5958/2277-940X.2015.00026.1
Effects of Probiotics Supplementation on Growth Performance, Feed Conversion
Ratio and Economics of Broilers
Suresh G. Patel 1 , Ajay P. Raval 2* , Shekhar R. Bhagwat 1 , Devchand A. Sadrasaniya 1 , Ashok P. Patel 1 and
Sanjay S. Joshi 1
1 Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science & A.H., S.D.A.U, Gujarat, INDIA.
2 Livestock Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, INDIA.
*Corresponding author: AP Raval; Email: dr.ajayraval@gmail.com
Received: 02 March, 2015
Accepted: 20 March, 2015
ABSTRACT
Two hundred and forty (n=240), day-old broiler chicks of strain ‘cobb400’ were divided equally into 3 groups of 80 chicks
each in group to observe the effect of probiotics (Protexin) supplementation on growth performance and economics of feeding
in broilers. Different dietary treatments were T 1 –basal diet without probiotics supplementation (control), T 2 –T 1 + probiotics
supplementation (50 g/ton of feed) and T 3 – T 1 + probiotics supplementation (100 g/ton of feed). Average daily body weight gain
(BWG) was significantly higher (P≤0.01) in T 3 compared to T 2 and T 1 (41.63 ± 0.25 g vs 39.48 ± 0.15, 39.99 ± 0.10). Feed intake
during starter, finisher and overall study period remained statistically (P≥0.05) at par. Feed conversion ratio was significantly
(P≤0.01) improved with probiotics supplementation @100 g/ton of feed compared to control. Dressing percentage and organ
weights (% Body Weight) remained statistically (P≥0.05) similar. Mortality (%) was lower for group T 3 (1.25) compared to T 2
(3.75) and T 1 (5.00) but differences were non-significant (P≥0.05). The return over feed cost was significantly (P≤0.01) higher in
T 2 ( ` 30.99) compared to T 1 ( ` 27.82) and control ( ` 26.45). The profit per bird over control in group T 2 and T 3 was ` 1.37 and `
4.54, respectively. Thus, the dietary supplementation of probiotics at 100 g/ton of feed significantly enhanced body weight gain
along with better feed conversion ratio and profit without any adverse effect on feed intake, mortality and carcass characteristics.
Keywords : Broiler, Economics, FCR, Growth and Probiotics.
The sub therapeutic use of antibiotic growth promoters
feed into meat plays also a key role in economics of broiler
has been an economically viable method of raising animal
industry. Therefore, it is highly essential to improve the
performance for many years. However, repeated use of
feed efficiency of poultry to produce meat economically.
antibiotics in poultry diets resulted in severe problems
So, for better utilization of feed and to improve the feed
like resistance of pathogen to antibiotics, accumulation
efficiency use of probiotics as feed additives is one of
of antibiotics residue in their products and environment,
the recent biotechnological interventions. A probiotics
imbalance of normal microflora and reduction in
can be defined as a ‘live microbial feed supplement that
beneficial intestinal microflora (Barton, 2000). This
beneficially affects the host animal by improving its
resulted into severe restriction or total ban on the use
microbial intestinal balance’ (Fuller, 1989). The proposed
of antibiotics in animal and poultry industry in many
modes of action of probiotics in poultry are 1) maintaining
countries in the world. As a result, the poultry industry
a beneficial microbial population by competitive
must focus on alternative to antibiotics for maintaining
exclusion and antagonism (Fuller, 1989), 2) improving
health and performance under commercial conditions.
feed intake and digestion (Nahanshon et al., 1993), and 3)
Apart from this, the efficiency of poultry to convert the
altering bacterial metabolism (Jin et al., 1997). Probiotics