Influence of mannan-oligosaccharide on the performance of broilers

An experiment was conducted on broilers to assess the effect of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation in maize-soy diet (22 and 19.5% CP in starter and finisher phase with 2900 kcal ME/kg). Two diets without (C) or with the addition of 0.2% MOS was offered to four replicated groups of 10 chicks each, reared in battery cages up to 6 wk of age. Supplementation of MOS showed no significant differences in body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), blood cholesterol and carcass traits. Total viable count (TVC) and coliforms were reduced (P<0.01) in intestinal contents of birds received diet containing MOS. TVC in meat samples was also low (P<0.05) in birds fed mannan-oligosaccharide containing diet.