Effects of probiotic and whey powder supplementation on growth performance, microflora population, and ileum morphology in broilers

Abstract

A study was conducted to examine how supplementation using probiotics and whey powder affects microflora population, ileum morphology, and growth performance in broilers. In this experiment, 400 one-day-old male chickens were randomly assigned into four groups: the control group (CON), the probiotics group (0.2%) (PRO), the whey powder group (4%) (WHP), and a group that received a combination of probiotics (0.2%) and whey powder (4%) (PRO-WHP). Microflora populations as well as ileum morphology were assessed on day 42 and growth performance parameters were measured at the end of the rearing period (day 42). The findings indicated that the PRO-WHP group had the largest Lactobacillus count (P. 05) for villus: crypt ratio. The largest feed intake and body weight gain were observed in the PRO-WHP group. In addition, the PRO-WHP group had the best feed conversion ratio, but was not significantly different from the PRO and the WHP groups. Our experiment indicated that adding whey powder alone or in combination with probiotics can improve broiler performance by modifying intestinal microflora and changing intestinal morphology.