Comparative analysis of saponin, insoluble fibre, symbiotics and acidifiers on broiler chicken performance and gut health

Koushik, G., Desai, D.N., Ranade, A.S., Gole, M.A., Pharande, R.R., Jagadale, S.D., Shukla, V.H. and Gaikwad, S.S. 2023. Comparative analysis of saponin, insoluble fibre, symbiotics and acidifiers on broiler chicken performance and gut health. Indian Journal Poultry Science, 58(3): 259–265.

An experiment was conducted to compare the effect of saponin, insoluble fibre, symbiotics and acidifiers on broilers’ performance and gut health. The trial was conducted on 450 Cobb 430Y broilers for five weeks. The day-old chicks were randomly divided into five groups with six replicates each. Group A (control diet), group B (saponin 100 g/ton), group C (2% wheat hulls), group D (symbiotics 500 g/ton) and group E (acidifiers 1 kg/ton). The differences in all the growth parameters among different groups were statistically non-significant. The live weights and weight gain of the birds receiving control diet were highest followed by groups E, C, B and D. The average feed consumption was higher in group C followed by groups E, A, D and B. Feed conversion ratio was better in group A followed by groups B, E, D and C. The total viable count in different treatments were significantly lower (P≤0.01) as compared to the birds from the control group. The birds from the control group recorded the highest profit per bird followed by groups B, E, D and C. Thus, it may be concluded that comparable production performance was observed among the groups but beneficial effects on gut health evident with additives as compare to control.