Use of probiotics to replace antibiotics for broilers

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation of probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium and Bifidubacterium bifidum) and antibiotics (flavomicina and staquinol) on diets for broilers from 1 to 42 days of age, reared in clean (new litter) and challenged (reused litter) environments. A total of 768 one-day-old male broilers of the Cobb 500 strain were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (2 litter types × 4 diets), totaling eight treatments with eight replications and 16 poultry per experimental unit. The results of performance and carcass characteristics were submitted to analysis of variance using the Studen Newman Keuls test at 0.05 probability. In the period of 1-21 days of age, the supplementation with probiotics for poultry raised in the new litter reduced feed intake, whereas in those raised in reused litter, the diet free of growth promoter showed a lower consumption. Poultry from 1 to 42 days raised in new litter had lower feed intake when supplemented with probiotics. Other results of performance and carcass yield were not affected. For the poultry raised in reused litter, the use of probiotics resulted in lower thigh yield and higher liver yield. The use of different growth promoters in feed for broilers does not influence the performance of poultry raised in new or reused litter. The use of probiotic promotes lower feed intake without compromising the performance, regardless of the type of litter used, demonstrating the feasibility of using this product as substitute for antibiotics. ©2012 Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia.