The Role of Synbiotics (Commercial Product) as a Substitute for Antibiotic Growth Promotor (AGP) in the Performance and Blood Values of Cobb-strain Broilers Challenged with Salmonella enteritidis

Abstract

Feed is the main requirement for broilers farms. However, continuous use of AGP can cause antibiotic resistance in poultry and humans. The effectiveness of feed additives in preventing some disease agents has not been much scrutinized. Among the diseases that often arise is Salmonellosis. This study aims to inspect the role of synbiotics consisting of prebiotics and Saccharomyces sp. and Lactobacillus sp. as the probiotics (commercial product) on the performance and blood values of broilers challenged with Salmonella enteritidis. A total of 36 Cobb-strain DOCs were divided randomly into three groups of 12 with different diets. Group I was given broiler comercial feed, Group II was given comercial feed + AGP (enramycin dosage 250 g/ton), and Group III was given broiler comercial feed + Synbiotics (dosage 100 g/100 kg). Each of the three groups is then further divided into two groups of six, one of which is challenged with Salmonella enteritidis on day 22 (1 x 10 9 CFU/mL) for peroral. Vaccines were then given to all groups: ND + IB on day 7, IBD on day 14, and ND booster on day 18. Blood was collected on day 21 and 35, and body weights were taken every week until week 5. The results of this study showed slight differences in the weight gain amongs the groups, with Group III and group II gaining slightly more weights than Group I. The groups that were challenged with Salmonella enteritidis gained less weight compared to the groups that were not challenged in all groups. No significant difference in blood values was found among the groups. Group II and Group III showed slighty better blood values compared to Grup I. It is concuded, then, that the use of synbiotics (commercial product) as feed additives can replace antibiotic growth promotor (AGP) because the results are almost the same.