Effect of supplementation of probiotic on the growth performance of broiler chicken

The effects of different levels of probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus faecium and Yeasacc 1026) supplementation on the performance of broiler chicken were evaluated using 144, one-day old, commercial broiler chicks for a period of eight weeks. The birds were divided into three dietary treatment groups viz., standard broiler ration and standard broiler ration with 0.025 and 0.05 per cent probiotic having four replicates of twelve chicks each. Body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency and protein efficiency were studied upto eight weeks of age. The 0.025 per cent probiotic supplemented birds showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) body weight and weight gain upto six weeks of age. The feed intake, feed efficiency and protein efficiency were statistically non-significant at sixth and eighth weeks of age among the treatment groups. The mortality percentage was not affected by treatments. Cost of production of broilers was lower in the 0.025 and 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented groups at six and eight weeks of age respectively. It was concluded that the probiotic supplementation in standard broiler ration at a lower level was beneficial in the early stages of growth.