Effect of All-lac xcl 5x, Acid-pak 2x, Bio-mos® and Zinc Bacitracin on nutrient digestibility and gastrointestinal morphology of broiler chickens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted with Ross broiler chickens from day-old to 42 d of age. A prebiotic (Bio-Mos®), probiotic (All Lac XCL 5x), organic acid (Acid pak 2x), individually or in combination were used to supplement an antibiotic growth promoter (Zinc Bacitracin). The chickens were challenge with Clostridium perfringens (CP) at 21, 22 and 23 days of age to determine the efficacy of these additives for replacing antibiotics in hindering the effects of CP on the villus surface area. Feed additives in this experiment prevented the negative effects of CP as the treated birds did not have lesions on their villus surfaces. © South African Society for Animal Science.