Evaluation of optimum inclusion levels of biostrong® 510 15% as a replacement for antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chicken production under field conditions in Nigeria

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Biostrong^® 510 15% (BSG) in broiler chickens diet. It was included at 0 g, 75 g, 100 g and  125 g/100 Kg diet, for T1-T4 respectively while T5 had Oxytetracycline. Data was collected on growth performance indices, haematological parameters, liver function indices, kidney function, blood mineral profile, immune response, antioxidant capacity, villi morphometrics, lipid profile,  ileum and ceacum microbial contents, carcass quality parameters, and tibia bone quality indices. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significant differences among treatment means were compared using the Tukey test of significance. Growth performance showed that broilers fed diet containing 100g BSG had optimum performance among other levels. Haematological and liver function indices were not  significantly (P>0.05) different. Birds fed BSG showed decreased cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein compared to the control treatment. Birds fed levels of BSG and AGP had significantly higher bone weight, bone density, bone dry matter and bone ash as compared to birds on the control group. All carcass evaluation parameters were significantly (P<0.05) different among treatments except for dressed weight, breast and kidney. Levels of BSG in the diet significantly lowered the cost of production than AGPs of finisher broilers improved liver health, bone strength, villi characteristics, increased beneficial bacteria population and also prevent the colonization of the gut by pathogenic bacteria thus improving the health of the birds. Biostrong^® 510 15%, can therefore effectively replace antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chicken production.

Keywords: Biostrong^® 510 15%, Antibiotic growth promoter, Performance, broiler chickens