Effect of dietary supplementation of tannins, probiotics and antibiotic growth promoters on growth performance of broiler chicken

Abstract

A total of 408, day-old Vencobb 400Y strain broiler chicks were locally procured, weighed individually and randomly divided into four treatment groups to study the effect of tannins, probiotics and antibiotics on feed intake, body weight, weekly body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, nutrient utilization, performance index and nutrient retention in broiler chickens during 35 days feeding trial. Growth performance of broilers in terms of feed intake, weekly body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and performance index was found significant and higher in T1 (Tannin group) and T3 (Probiotics group) in comparison to T2 (Antibiotics group) and control group. Supplementation of tannins and probiotics enhanced growth performance of broiler chicken compared to antibiotics and control group. There was no significant effect on dry matter, ether extract and phosphorus retention in broiler chickens fed tannin, probiotics and antibiotic except calcium. Thus, it may be concluded that supplementation of broiler diet with tannin, probiotics and antibiotics may prove a promising approach in enhancing the growth performance, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and performance index.

Keywords

• Growth promotor, Performance index, Probiotic, Tannin, Virginiamycin