EFFECT OF PROBIOTICS (Lactobacillus Acidophillus) IN DRINKING WATER ON THE PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS YIELD OF BROILERS.

ABSTRACT

This study was to determine the effect of probiotics (L. acidophilus) on growth performance, carcass yield, and serum cholesterol level of broiler birds. A total of 128 day – old Anak broiler chicks were used for the study. The birds were randomly divided into four treatment groups T1, T2, T3, and T4 which contained 0.0g/ml, 0.4g/ml, 0.6g/ml and 0.8g/ml L. acidophilus respectively. Thirty-two birds were assigned to each treatment group which was replicated four times with 8 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment lasted for eight weeks. The results showed that probiotics significantly (P < 0.05) affected the average final body weight in the starter phase for T2 T3 and T4 when compared with T1 (control). Probiotigcs also showed significant effect (P< 0.05) on the average final body weight in the finishing phase for T2, T3, and T4 when compared with T1. However, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the carcass analysis of dressing weight and gizzard weight. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the total cholesterol level of the various treatments. The result also revealed that there was significant (P < 0.05) difference in total cost of feed consumed.  It was concluded from the study that addition of 0.6g/ml probiotics (L. acidophilus) in the diet of broiler birds enhanced their performance positively.