Effect of sodium butyrate on Salmonella enteritidis infection in broiler chickens

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the effect of using sodium butyrate encapsulated in palm fat in comparison with enrofloxacin on Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infection in broiler chickens. Two hundred, day-old broiler chicks were allocated into 5 equal groups (n = 50). Group 1 was kept without challenge or treatment (blank control), Group 2 was fed on sodium butyrate, Group 3 was challenged and treated with enrofloxacin, Group 4 was challenged and treated with sodium butyrate and Group 5 was only challenged (positive control). Challenged groups were orally inoculated with 0.3 mL (1.5×108 SE/mL/chick) at the 2nd day of age. Enrofloxacin was given at the 3rd day of age in water (10 mg kg-1 b.wt.) for 5 successive days; however, sodium butyrate was added in doses of 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25 kg t-1 for starter, grower and finisher ration respectively from day till 5 weeks old. The results revealed no mortalities and decrease in the severity of signs and lesions in treated groups than positive control one. At the 4th week of age, sodium butyrate supplement gave significant (p<0.05) improvement in body weight, weight gain and feed conversion than others. The re-isolation rate and enumeration of SE were lower in sodium butyrate and enrofloxacin treatments than positive control. In conclusion, sodium butyrate as an acidifier could be used as an environmentally friendly supplement when compared with enrofloxacin for treatment of SE infection in broiler chickens as it could reduce the disease picture severity, improve performance variables and decrease the intestinal colonization.