Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the efficacy of a couple of probiotic lactic acid bacterial isolates, Lactococcus lactis ssp. Lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum added separately or in combination to broiler diets. The experimental treatments received a basal diet with 22.4% protein and 3160 kcal/kg. Two hundred and ten 1-day-old Hubbard broilers were allocated in 7 experimental groups as follows: control group and 6 groups treated by both probiotic strains in drinking water with intended final concentration of 109cfu/mL and/or 1012cfu/mL separately or in combination for period of 42 days and tested on scheduled intervals. Treatment effects on performance of broilers (organs weights) as well as certain serum constituents were determined. The composition of cecal microflora was also evaluated. Probiotic supplementation had no significant effect but some organs had relative weights slightly higher compared to control. However, the relative weight of thyroid, spleen and pancreas were significantly increased. Broilers received both types of probiotic strains separately or in combination had significant decreases (p

Key words: probiotic, broiler chicken, Salmonella, lactic acid bacteria, cecal microflora