Growth performance, carcass characteristics and internal organ weight of broilers fed probiotics.

Abstract

The basis of broiler productivity is in nutrient utilization and effective growth performance. In this study we evaluated the effect of different levels of probiotics on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and internal organ weight of broilers because of their ability to influence gut health and digestion. A total of 120 unsexed Day-Old Ross 308 chicks were randomly subdivided into four treatment groups in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated three times with each containing 10 birds. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. Both the starter and the finisher rations were formulated with inclusion of different levels of probiotics for the four treatments. The control group formed the treatment one (T1) while T2, T3 and T4, contained 12.5g, 25g and 37.5g of probiotics/100kg of feed respectively. Data for growth performance were collected at day 1, day 28 and day 56 of the experiment. The result showed no statistical difference (p<0.05) in the weight gain and final weight but showed improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) in T3. A significant difference was also observed in the dressed weight and percentage dressed weight in which, T3 recorded the highest. Under the internal organs, a significant difference (p<0.05) was also observed in the weight of the abdominal fat, heart, intestine, and liver. In conclusion, the inclusion of probiotic especially at 25g was able to increase the broiler’s dressed weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) hence it can be used as a replacement for antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in broiler production.