Impacts of Microbial based Therapy on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, Carcass Traits and Economic Efficiency of Clostridium perfringens-Infected Cobb and Arbor Acres Broilers

Abstract

The poultry farms need a safe and effective alternative for antibiotics that can counteract the negative impacts of necrotic enteritis (NE), which causes severe mortalities and economic losses. The current study was aimed to examine the influence of antibiotic (Flagymox) and the microbial-based administration on carcass traits in Clostridium (C.) perfringens-infected Cobb and Arbor Acres broilers. A total number of 360 Cobb and Arbor Acres broiler chicks (180 numbers per breed) were allocated to four groups; negative control group (without any treatments); positive control group (administration of C. perfringens at the rate of 1 × 109cfu/bird via crop gavage twice daily from day 16 to 18 post-hatch); C. perfringens challenge plus antibiotic (Flagymox®) group, and Clostridium perfringens challenge plus microbial-based treatment (Big-lactoα®) group. The results indicated that the Flagymox and Big-lactoα treated Cobb breed group achieved a significant increase in their body weight (BW) than the positive control group at the third week post-infection. Also, the Arbor Acres breed gained significantly higher weight compared to the Cobb breed at the third week. Total weight gain (TWG) from 0 to the fifth week in the Cobb and Arbor Acres breeds were higher in the groups treated with Flagymox and Big-lactoα compared to the birds challenged with C. perfringens without any treatment, thus, increasing the total return (TR) in the treated groups. Economic efficiency showed no significant differences (p