Effects of Supplementation With Different Levels of a Multi Strain Probiotic on the Performance of Laying Chickens

Abstract

Use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in poultry production to enhance performance is not recommended due to accumulation of antibiotic residues end products which can confer antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to consumers. Inclusion of probiotics in layers diets has been reported to enhance laying performance and egg quality without the risks of AMR. A study to determine the effect of supplementation of a multi-strain probiotic on performance and egg quality (internal and external) was carried. The specific objectives were 1.) To investigate the effects of supplementation of different levels of a multi-strain probiotic on the performance of ISA Brown and 2.) To investigate the effects of supplementation of different levels of a multi-strai probiotic on egg quality of ISA Brown layers. A multi-strain probiotic (MolaPlus®) was purchased from a reputable supplier and administered to laying birds via drinking water at different levels; Prob0 (control), Prob2.5(2.5ml/L), Prob5(5ml/L), Prob10(10ml/L) and Prob15(15ml/L). A layer’s mash feed (Unga feeds) was purchased from a reputable feed manufacturer. One hundred and fifty (150) 65 weeks old ISA Brown were recruited from a laying flock at the Poultry Unit, University of Nairobi and assigned in CRD of five (5) treatments each replicated five times with six birds per replicate. The feed intake, body weight, egg weight, egg specific gravity, yolk colour, eggshell weight, and thickness was recorded weekly for 5 weeks. Hen day egg production and water intake were recorded daily while the mineral content of the eggshells (Ca & P) was determined during the 1st, 3rd and 5th week. The mean daily feed intake was not significantly affected (p>0.05) by treatment Prob0 (151.6g), Prob2.5 (145.6g), Prob5 (143.5g), Prob10 (139.4g) and Prob15 (145.4g) respectively. Supplementation tended to increase egg weight in treatment groups though non-significantly (P>0.05) compared to Prob0. The feed conversion ratio (FCR), body weight, hen day egg production, water intake, protein consumed and yolk colour were not (P>0.05) affected by inclusion levels of probiotics. The specific gravity, shell weight, shell thickness and eggshell % were not influenced significantly (p > 0.05) by probiotic inclusion levels. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in calcium content of the shells with inclusion of probiotics with Prob5 (52.8%) being the highest. The phosphorus content of the eggshells was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for Prob5 (0.5311) and Prob15 (0.5093) compared to control (Prob0), Prob2.5 and Prob10. From the findings, it can be concluded that a multi-strain probiotic (MolaPlus®) can be included in layers diet via drinking water to improve egg quality.