Probiotic Treatment with Lactobacillus reuteri Protects Commercial Turkeys from Avian Growth Depression

Turkeys hatched and brooded under commercial conditions exhibit performance losses caused by avian growth depression (AGD).Previous studies carried out under controlled laboratory conditions showed that these losses could be moderated significantly by early probiotic intervention with viable, host-specific strains of Lactobacillus reuteri.Evidence is presented in this report showing that these L. reuteri treatments are effective under field conditions encountered during commercial poultry production.Beneficial effects of L. reuteri probiosis were observed soon after placement of poults and resulted in an overall improved flock performance at market-age as indicated by significantly improved livability, feed conversion, body weight, and Grade A quality carcasses.