Supplementing Probiotics (GalliPro) to Broiler Chicken on Growth Performance, Immunity and Gut Microbial Population

An experiment was conducted with broiler chicks reared simultaneously in cages and in floor with 0, 500 g probiotic GalliPro (Bacillus subtilis) from day old to 6 weeks of age. For floor experiment, 16 floor pens each with 20 chicks (8 pens per treatment) were used whereas for cage experiment, 40 cages with 8 chicks per cage (20 cages per treatment) were used. Body weight gain, feed intake and FCR did not differ (P>0.05) either due to probiotic supplementation or rearing system. Cell-mediated immune response was non-significant whereas humoral response was higher (P<0.05) in caged birds with probiotic supplementation. The intestinal and crop microbial counts (Total plate count, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus and yeast and mould) were lower on probiotic supplementation. The carcass traits were non significant either due to rearing system or probiotic supplementation. Study envisaged GalliPro did not influence the growth performance of broilers reared in cages or floor, but was helpful in humoral immuno-responsiveness and reducing entero-pathogens of the crop and intestine.