Effect of the competitive exclusion on mortality and productive performance in broilers chicken.

It has been demonstrated that the administration from gastrointestinal microflora of a healthy adult bird to a new born chick accelerates the maturation of the intestinal microflora and increases the resistance to Salmonellas colonization in the treated chicks. This concept known as Competitive Exclusion (EC) based on the fact that this mature intestinal flora excludes certain enteric pathogens, such as Salmonella, from settling down in digestive tract. In order to evaluate this principle at the field level and its effect on mortality (M), body weight (PV), the feed consumption (CA) and the feed conversion rate (CN), 3,500 chicks one day of age (Avian Farm x Peterson) were evaluated. Chickens were divided in two groups: Treated group (GT), received in the hatchery a commercial EC product (with a unspecific composition, associated to oligosacaridos from manosa, elaborated of intestinal bacteria) and untreated control group (GC). At day 14(th) of age of the chickens, the incidence of Salmonella from cloacal swab was evaluated. The percentage of infected birds was reduced in the GT versus the GC (36% vs 64%) respectively. The effect of EC on M, PV, CA and CN, were analyzed with SAS. The results showed that the percentage of M was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in GT (2.11%) during the first week of age, compared to CG (1.32%). On the other hand, PV (0.440 vs 0.415 kg) and CA (42.16 versus 38.92 grs) were significantly (P < 0.05) greater in the GT compared to GC. The CN was slightly greater in the GT (1.072) versus GC (1.066) but not significant. In this study it was demonstrated that the CE was efficient to diminish the colonization of Salmonella, improving the productive parameters.