Effect of Replacement of Antibiotic with Probiotic on Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Nutrient Retention in Broilers Fed with Meat Cum Bone Meal

The effect of replacing an antibiotic growth promoter in the diet with a probiotic on growth performance, carcass characteristics and nutrient retention was studied in broilers (Vencobb 430) fed with and without meat cum bone meal (MBM). This experiment which lasted for 42 days consisted of six dietary treatments viz., basal diet (BD), basal diet with MBM (MBM), basal diet with antibiotic (AB), basal diet with probiotic (PB), basal diet with MBM and antibiotic (MBM+AB) and basal diet with MBM and probiotic (MBM+PB). Three-hundred, day-old chicks were randomly allotted in the beginning to these six groups. Body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P<0.05) affected at 4th week of age. Overall, highest body weight gain was recorded in birds fed with AB and PB. Inclusion of probiotic in MBM also showed improved body weight gain when compared to MBM group. Highest feed intake and feed conversion ratio was recorded with AB and PB groups. Birds supplemented with MBM+PB showed improved feed intake and feed efficiency when compared to MBM+AB and MBM diet supplemented groups. Higher dry matter, crude protein, calcium and phosphorus retention (P<0.05) was observed in birds supplemented with PB or AB in diet without MBM when compared to their control. In MBM supplemented groups addition of PB or AB improved crude protein retention. Birds supplemented with PB or AB with or without MBM showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in thigh yield and a non significant reduction in fat yield when compared to their control groups.