Journal of Animal Research

Two hundred and forty (n=240), day-old broiler chicks of strain ‘cobb400’ were divided equally into 3 groups of 80 chicks each in group to observe the effect of probiotics (Protexin) supplementation on growth performance and economics of feeding in broilers. Different dietary treatments were T₁–basal diet without probiotics supplementation (control), T₂–T₁ + probiotics supplementation (50 g/ton of feed) and T₃– T₁ + probiotics supplementation (100 g/ton of feed). Average daily body weight gain (BWG) was significantly higher (P≤0.01) in T₃ compared to T₂ and T₁ (41.63 ± 0.25 g vs 39.48 ± 0.15, 39.99 ± 0.10). Feed intake during starter, finisher and overall study period remained statistically (P≥0.05) at par. Feed conversion ratio was significantly (P≤0.01) improved with probiotics supplementation @100 g/ton of feed compared to control. Dressing percentage and organ weights (% Body Weight) remained statistically (P≥0.05) similar. Mortality (%) was lower for group T₃ (1.25) compared to T₂ (3.75) and T₁ (5.00) but differences were non-significant (P≥0.05). The return over feed cost was significantly (P≤0.01) higher in T₂ (30.99) compared to T₁ ( 27.82) and control ( 26.45). The profit per bird over control in group T₂ and T₃ was 1.37 and 4.54, respectively. Thus, the dietary supplementation of probiotics at 100 g/ton of feed significantly enhanced body weight gain along with better feed conversion ratio and profit without any adverse effect on feed intake, mortality and carcass characteristics.