Efficacy of Different Growth Promoters on the Growth Performance of Broilers

Two hundred day-old Vencobb broiler chicks of uniform body weight were randomly divided into four dietary treatments of 50 chicks each viz-T₀, T₁, T₂ and T₃. They were offered ad libitum quantity of broiler starter (CP-22.15% and ME-2882 Kcal/kg diet) and broiler finisher (CP-19.17% and ME-2949 Kcal/kg) diets from 0 to 28 days and 29 to 49 days of age, respectively. The diets were without supplementation (T₀-Control) or supplemented with growth promoter antibiotic colidox 50g per 100 kg diet (T₁), probiotics protexin @ 10 g per 100 kg for starter and 5g per 100 kg diet for finisher (T₂) and herbal product livol @ 250g per 100 kg diet (T₃). Statistically nonsignificant differences (P>0.05) were found among the four dietary treatment groups for average weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratios. The cost of feeding per kg weight gain in the treated groups was marginally lower than that in the control group. It is concluded that certain amount of economic benefit can be derived by supplementing anyone of the three growth promoters Le. antibiotics, probiotics and herbal feed supplements in the diets of broilers.