Effect of probiotics on performance of native chicken of Andaman

The probioctic effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus (NCDC 4) and L. salivarius (NCDC 11 & 13) on overall performance of native chicken was evaluated. The colonization ability of the strains was found to be enhanced by adaptation of heterologous cultures in culture media supplemented with hen's embryo extract at a level of 5%. The pH of the crop content was significantly (p<0.01) lower in experimental group indicating better subsequent digestion and absorption. Irrespective of organs, lactobacilli count in experimental group was significantly (P<0.01) higher than control where lactobacilli were acquired from environment. However, lactobacilli count was higher in crop than cecum in both experimental and control groups. The number of laetobacilli increased till sixteenth day followed by gradual reduction in number in both crop and caecum upto the end of the experiment. Mortality in control group, mostly due to bacterial enteropathogens specially salmonella was 12.7% against none in experimental group. The probiotic effect of lactobacilli strains on average body weight in experimental group during first to fourth week was 1.4 g, 4.32 g, 6.28 g and 7.9 g, respectively.