Probiotics effects on the growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens

Abstract

Context In the limited field of research on Kazakhstan’s poultry, this study explores a new area by investigating the lack of studies on the impact of probiotics from camel milk and mare’s milk. This study provides valuable knowledge about an important aspect of poultry production in the region. Aims The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of probiotics isolated from traditional fermented dairy products, fermented camel milk (shubat) and fermented mare’s milk (koumiss) on the growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens. Methods In total, 240 1-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly separated into four treatment groups of three replicates (20 birds per replicate). Three experimental groups were fed by basal diet plus drinking water containing 0.25 mL, 0.5 mL, and 1.0 mL of probiotics per bird (Pro1, Pro2, and Pro3 respectively). The control group was fed by basal diet plus drinking water. The carcass characteristics included the weights of the body and carcass rate. Organoleptic analysis, proximate composition, pH, drip loss, cook loss and were used to determine meat-quality properties. Key results According to the study results isolated probiotics Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei SH1, Enterococcus faecalis SH6, and Kazachstania unispora Y 2.2 had a significant effect on body and carcass weight (P < 0.05). Average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were also improved in probiotics groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, Pro 2 group had increased meat protein contents (P < 0.05). No significant differences in organoleptic quality between the control and experimental groups fed with the probiotics were determined. Conclusions Traditional fermented dairy products could become a source of new effective probiotics useful to improve broiler production. Implications The readily available shubat and koumiss in Kazakhstan present a promising opportunity for establishing localised probiotic production for poultry, indicating a viable path for promoting sustainable and tailored approaches to poultry farming in the region.