Effect of prebiotic feed supplement on the performance and carcass yield of broilers Ross
Mitko Lalev, Pavlina Hristakieva, Magdalena Oblakova
Abstract: The study evaluates the effects of the prebiotic „Actigen®” on the growth and development of
ROSS broilers and the possibility to exclude antibiotics during the fattening period. To this end, 4
groups of male broiler chickens were formed: Group T1 – control group, fed standard feed, but water
was supplemented with antibiotic; Group Т2 – broilers received nothing but the standard feed, while
water was not supplemented with an antibiotic; Group Т3 – the feed of broilers was supplemented
with a prebiotic (Actigen®) at 800 g/t in starter, 400 g/t in grower, 200 g/t in finisher, and water was
supplemented with an antibiotic; Group Т4 – feed of broilers was supplemented with prebiotic (Actigen
®) at 800 g/t in starter, 400 g/t in grower, 200 g/t in finisher, whereas water was not supplemented
with an antibiotic. It was found that during the first feeding phase, birds from groups Т1, Т3 and Т4
had a statistically significantly higher weight gain compared to group Т2. During the second phase,
broilers from group Т2 preserved the considerably lower weight gain, whereas during the third stage
of feeding, group Т3 demonstrated statistically significantly higher weight gain than both groups Т1
and Т2 (P < 0.05), hence the higher live weight gain of broilers from group Т3 by the end of the experiment
(P < 0.05). The best FCE (feed conversion efficiency) was established in groups Т3 – Actigen
® + antibiotic; Т4 – Actigen® (without antibiotic) – 1.944 kg feed/kg gain and 2.059 kg feed/kg gain
respectively. Data for mortality rate during the rearing period showed that no birds from group T4,
supplemented with Actigen® but not supplemented with an antibiotic, have died. Highest mortality occurred
in groups Т1 and Т2 – 8.7%, whereas the mortality rate in group Т3 – Actigen® + antibiotic was
4.35%. Calculated EPEF was highest in group Т3 – 299 and Т4 – 280. In conclusion, chickens whose
feed was supplemented with a prebiotic, had a higher final live weight, showed better feed conversion
efficiency and higher European poultry efficiency factor (EPEF).
ROSS broilers and the possibility to exclude antibiotics during the fattening period. To this end, 4
groups of male broiler chickens were formed: Group T1 – control group, fed standard feed, but water
was supplemented with antibiotic; Group Т2 – broilers received nothing but the standard feed, while
water was not supplemented with an antibiotic; Group Т3 – the feed of broilers was supplemented
with a prebiotic (Actigen®) at 800 g/t in starter, 400 g/t in grower, 200 g/t in finisher, and water was
supplemented with an antibiotic; Group Т4 – feed of broilers was supplemented with prebiotic (Actigen
®) at 800 g/t in starter, 400 g/t in grower, 200 g/t in finisher, whereas water was not supplemented
with an antibiotic. It was found that during the first feeding phase, birds from groups Т1, Т3 and Т4
had a statistically significantly higher weight gain compared to group Т2. During the second phase,
broilers from group Т2 preserved the considerably lower weight gain, whereas during the third stage
of feeding, group Т3 demonstrated statistically significantly higher weight gain than both groups Т1
and Т2 (P < 0.05), hence the higher live weight gain of broilers from group Т3 by the end of the experiment
(P < 0.05). The best FCE (feed conversion efficiency) was established in groups Т3 – Actigen
® + antibiotic; Т4 – Actigen® (without antibiotic) – 1.944 kg feed/kg gain and 2.059 kg feed/kg gain
respectively. Data for mortality rate during the rearing period showed that no birds from group T4,
supplemented with Actigen® but not supplemented with an antibiotic, have died. Highest mortality occurred
in groups Т1 and Т2 – 8.7%, whereas the mortality rate in group Т3 – Actigen® + antibiotic was
4.35%. Calculated EPEF was highest in group Т3 – 299 and Т4 – 280. In conclusion, chickens whose
feed was supplemented with a prebiotic, had a higher final live weight, showed better feed conversion
efficiency and higher European poultry efficiency factor (EPEF).
Keywords: broilers; meat protein content; prebiotic; productivity; slaughter traits
Date published: 2020-10-09
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