Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Lactobacillus farciminis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus on Growth and Production Indicators of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

In response to the 2006 EU ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters, researchers have sought alternatives, leading to a focus on the beneficial effects of probiotics on chickens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus (L.) farciminis CNCM-I-3699 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM-I-3698 on the growth, production indicators, and edible organs of broiler chickens. Three trials were conducted, each consisting of 260 newly hatched Ross 308 broiler chicks (males and females) from a commercial hatchery, randomly allocated into control (n = 130) and probiotic-supplemented groups (n = 130). The dietary treatments were basal diet for the control group and basal diet + the mixture of L. farciminis CNCM-I-3699 (2.1010 GU/g) and L. rhamnosus CNCM-I-3698 (2.1010 GU/g) at a rate of 4g/10kg of diet for the probiotic supplemented group. Broilers were raised until day 35 of age, and their body weight and feed intake were recorded on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. All broiler chickens were weighed on the first day. The investigated parameters included average weight gain, feed conversion ratio, cumulative feed intake, and the European Broiler Index. Daily mortality was recorded. The average organ’s relative weight was calculated for each group on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Although both groups yielded positive results regarding growth and production indicators, no significant differences were observed between the two groups, suggesting that probiotics may not provide expected outcomes when appropriate conditions and age-related requirements are met. The probiotic-supplemented group exhibited significantly accelerated growth in the heart and liver. However, relative organ weights did not differ significantly between the groups.