Effects of Probiotics Supplementation on Growth Performance, Feed Conversion Ratio and Economics of Broilers

Feed conversion ratio

et al . (2005) and Rani et al . (2007) also reported that

The average overall FCR was 1.90 ± 0.02, 1.87 ± 0.01

dressing percentage did not differ significantly (P≥0.05)

in probiotics fed broilers compared to control broilers. In

and 1.81 ± 0.01 under treatment group T ₁ , T and

2

contrast, Bandy and Risam, (2001), Kabir et al . (2004)

T ₃ , respectively. The results suggested that FCR was

observed significant (P≤0.05) improvement in dressing

significantly (P≤0.01) improved in T ₃ compared to T and

1

percentage in groups supplemented with probiotics.

T ₂ . The values found in the present study for FCR during

overall experimental period (0–6 wks) are similar with the

The mean values of edible organ weight (%) relative to

values reported by Aftahi et al. (2006) and Anjum et al .

body weight are shown in Table 3. There was no significant

(2005) for FCR in broilers supplemented with probiotics

difference in the edible organ weight (%) relative to body

(1.81) than control (1.87). In contrast, Bandy and Pampori

weight among the treatment groups. Similar results were

(2006) reported that FCR did not differ significantly

also obtained by others (Panda et al ., 2005, Anjum et al .,

(P≥0.05) for probiotics fed group compared to control

2005).

group (2.2 vs. 2.4).

Mortality

Cost of feeding and Return over feed cost

Out of total 240 chicks only 8 chicks died during entire

Average feed cost ( ` ) of broilers fed different levels of

experimental period with 3.33% mortality in all the

probiotics was 84.05 ± 0.80, 84.25 ± 0.41 and 85.43 ±

treatment groups. The mortality of chicks varied from

0.62 under treatment T ₁ , T ₂ and T 3 , respectively (Table

1.25 to 5.00 percent among different treatment groups

2). The lowest feed cost was observed in control group

(Table 3). The percentage mortality was highest in chicks

(T ₁ ) followed by T ₂ and the highest in T 3 . However, no

of group T ₁ (5.00 %) followed by T ₂ (3.75%) and lowest

significant difference was observed amongst treatment

in T ₃ (1.25 %) group but remained statistically (P≥0.05)

groups. Average gross return over feed cost ( ` ) of broilers

similar. Necropsy finding revealed that cause of mortality

fed different levels of probiotics was 26.45 ± 1.05, 27.82

was not associated with any disease. It may be inferred

± 0.61 and 30.99 ± 0.39 under treatment T ₁ , T ₂ and T 3 ,

that numerically lower mortality in T ₃ followed by T ₂

respectively. The return over feed cost was highly

compared to control groupT ₁ might be due to incorporation

significantly (P≤ 0.01) for T ₃ as compared to T ₂ and T 1 . The

of multi-strain probiotics in broilers ration, as they had

return over feed cost ( ` /bird) over control in group T ₂ and

better effect on livability of broilers (Mountzouris et al .,

T ₃ was 1.37 and 4.54, respectively. The higher return over

2010 and Katoch et al ., 2011).

feed cost in both the probiotics fed groups might be due

to improvement in feed efficiency in broilers fed different

CONCLUSION

levels of probiotics. Anjum et al . (2005) and Sultan et al .

(2006) also found that use of probiotics in broiler chicks

Thus,

the

dietary

supplementation

of

probiotics

was financially profitable.

significantly improved body weight gain along with better

feed conversion ratio and profit as compared to control.

However, results were more encouraging in T (100 g/ton

Carcass characteristics

3

feed) as compared to T (50g/ton feed). Apart from this

2

The mean values for carcass characteristics, dressing

dietary supplementation did not show any adverse effects

percentage and organ weight (%) relative to body weight

on feed intake, mortality and carcass characteristics.

of broilers have been presented in Table 3. The average

dressing percentage for group T ₁ , T ₂ and T 3 was 72.20 ±

REFERENCES

0.47, 71.90 ± 0.52 and 73.09 ± 0.73, respectively. Highest

Aftahi, A., Munim, T., Hoqu, M.A. and Ashraf, M.A. 2006.

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Effect of yoghurt and protexin boost on broiler performance.

T ₁ and T . However, non-significant differences were

2

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observed amongst the treatment groups. Thus, inclusion

of probiotics in broiler rations had no extra additional

Anjum, M.I., Khan, A.G., Azim. A. and Afzal, M, 2005. Effect

of dietary supplementation of multi-strain probiotics on

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Journal of Animal Research: v.5 n.1. April 2015

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