Effects of Probiotic Yoghurt and Prebiotic Utilization on Performance and Some Haematological Parameters in Broiler Chickens

Background: With increasing concern about antibiotics resistance, the ban on sub-therapeutic antibiotics usage in Europe and the potential for a ban in the United States, there is an increasing interest in finding alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production. Probiotics are one of the approaches that have a potential to reduce chances of infections in poultry and subsequent contamination of poultry products. Prebiotics are defined as non-digestible food components/ingredients which have positive effect on host in their selective growth and/or activation of certain number of bacterial strains present in intestines. The phenomenon of probiotics and prebiotics to prevent the growth of pathogens and to enhance the growth and performance of the host bird has lead to a widespread interest in these two biotics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic yoghurt and prebiotic utilization on performance and some blood parameters of broiler chickens. Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 150 one day old broiler chickens (Cobb 500) divided into 5 equal groups: control (T1), 3.0 g prebiotic per kilogram basal diet (T2), 5.0 g probiotic yoghurt per liter of water and 3.0 g prebiotic per kilogram basal diet (T3), 10.0 g probiotic yoghurt per liter of water and 3.0 g prebiotic per kilogram basal diet (T4) and 20.0 g probiotic yoghurt per liter of water and 3.0 g prebiotic per kilogram basal diet (T5). Performance was assessed by measuring the weekly feed consumption and weight gain. The food conversion ratio (FCR) was also calculated for each group. All chickens were bled at the end of experiment. The body weight gain significantly (P < 0.05) improved in T5 treatment group than other groups. There was no significant difference in weight gain among the treatment groups during the period from 1-14 days of age (P < 0.05). During 15 to 42 days of age the highest weight gain was in T5 followed by T4, T3, T2 and T1 and differences were significant between the treatments. There was no significant difference in feed intake among the groups. At the end of experiment the FCR in T5 group differed significantly (P < 0.05) from other groups. The amounts of RBC, WBC, and PCV are lower in control group than other groups, but not significantly (P > 0.05). The ratio of heterophile to lymphocyte was higher in control group than other groups, significantly (P < 0.05). Discussion: The results of this study showed that dietary probiotic and prebiotic supplementation improve broiler performance significantly. The positive effect of probiotic and prebiotic on weight gain and FCR is in agreement with other reports. The higher and improved body weight gain in probiotic group might be due to better digestive or microbial enzymatic activity; also probiotics can improve broiler performance by increasing the villous height in the small intestine. The birds supplied 20.0 g probiotic yoghurt per liter of water and 3.0 g prebiotic per kilogram basal diet gained significantly (P < 0.05) higher weight than other dietary treatments, which indicate that supplementation of higher level of probiotic yoghurt or prebiotic might be effective to improve body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in broiler chickens. Adding probiotic diet could be inhibited the nutritional stress or any stress which causes an increase in H/L ratio.