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). Probiotics 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.
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