Beneficial effects of probiotic and phytobiotic as growth promoter alternative to antibiotic for safe broiler production.

OBJECTIVES: Drug residues in poultry products could lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria as in any living animal and human alike. Extensive use of antibiotics in animals to promote growth rate, increase feed efficiency, and for prevention of intestinal infections has led to the development of resistant bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of biological supplementation of probiotic, phytobiotic, and their combination over antibiotic on growth performance, microbial load, and hematological parameters in Broiler. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five broiler chicken were divided into five groups (12 birds in each group), namely, group A (basal diet), group B (antibiotic, Renamycin 100®), group C (phytobiotic, Galibiotic®), group D (probiotic, Bio-Top®), and group E (combination, Galibiotic®+Galibiotic®) and five were sacrificed for baseline data on day 0. RESULTS: Average final live weight gain was highest in group D (probiotic) than other groups. The feed conversion ratio was highest in group A and lowest in the probiotic group (group C). Blood samples were collected on 14th and 28th day for hematological studies. The mean hematology values regarding the total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate differed significantly (p < 0.05) among groups. The pH of all the treatment groups was significantly decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.05) where group C was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than all other groups. Highest total viable cell count was observed in control (group A) and total coliform count in phytobiotic (group C) was significantly lower than in other treatment groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It may conclude that biological supplements have a significant positive impact on growth performance, hematological parameters, and gut microbial load in broiler chicken of which the probiotic showing the best effects. Supplementation of probiotic in feed could be one of the best candidates as an alternative to antibiotics as growth promoter for safe broiler production.

Dose-dependent response to phytobiotic supplementation in feed on growth, hematology, intestinal pH, and gut bacterial load in broiler chicken.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed to evaluate dose-dependent effects of phytobiotic (Galibiotic) supplements in feed on growth performance, hematological parameters, intestinal pH, and gut bacterial population in broiler chick. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 ten day old broiler chicks were divided into five groups, namely, Group A as control (without galibiotic), Group B (galibiotic at 1 gm/kg feed), Group C (galibiotic at 2 gm/kg feed), Group D (galibiotic at 5 gm/kg feed), and Group E (galibiotic at 10 gm/kg feed). All the birds were reared for 42 days and samples were collected before and after sacrifice. RESULTS: Live body weights showed no significant differences between the groups but overall feed conversion ratios (FCRs) of treatment groups were significantly low in Group E having the lowest. Blood samples collected for hematology differed significantly (p < 0.01) among the different groups. Intestinal pH was lower in treatment groups with Group E having the lowest. Cecal total viable count was highest in Group A and lowest in Group E. The cecal coliform count was low in all the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Along with previously published report, it may conclude that the phytobiotic could be used as an alternative to antibiotics due to positive growth performance, lower FCR, carcass quality, and improved gut health of broiler chicks.