Abstract

Probiotics are currently under investing the most valuable substances alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry breeding practice. This research was performed to evaluate the effect of supplementing broiler drinking water with probiotics (Pediococcus acidilactici and Bacillus subtilis) at a concentration of ≥108 CFU/ml during 42 days of feeding period on growth performance and gut health. A total of 144 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks (mixed gender) with an average initial BW of 42.3 g were used. The chicks were allotted to pens with 12 birds per pen and six replications per treatment with food and water provided ad libitum. Feed intake of Probiotic group was 4134 g, 338 g less than that of control group. Live weight of probiotic group was 2537 g and a 113 g more than that of control group. The feed conversion ratio of probiotic group was 1.61, 0.22 less than that of control group. The crypt depth of probiotic group (1110.46 ± 224.016 µm) was statistically deeper than that of control group (949.39 ± 114.166 µm) in ileum. Continuously use of probiotics in drinking water of commercial poultry flocks appears to be alternative to AGPs. The results of this study provide a greater understanding of the impact of long-life use of probiotics on broiler health and growth performances.