Dietary Bacillus subtilis- and Clostridium butyricum-based probiotics supplement improves growth and meat quality, and alters microbiota in the excreta of broiler chickens.

This study investigated the effects of the multi-probiotics consisting of Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium butyricum with varying doses (0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2%) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, and cecal microbes of male broiler chickens. Seven hundred and twenty Ross 308, 1-day-old male broiler chicks were distributed into four dietary groups. Over 35 days of feeding, the average daily gain (ADG) was linearly elevated (P < 0.05) during days 1–21 and 1–35 as probiotic doses increased. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) tended to be linearly (P = 0.059) increased from day 22 to 35, and was improved from day 1 to 35 (P = 0.031). Ascending doses of multi-probiotics tended to (P = 0.060) reduce Clostridium perfringens counts on day 35 and prompted (P = 0.001) the proliferation of Lactobacillus. Moreover, broilers fed a 0.1% dose of multi-probiotics had a higher pH and water-holding capacity (P < 0.05) in the breast meat. In conclusion, the 0.2% multi-probiotics could boost ADG by improving ADFI and modulating the cecal microbe. The dietary 0.1% multi-probiotics contributed to better meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Animal Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)