Effects of Phytobiotic on Production Performance, Intestinal Morphology and Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens

This study examined the effect of phytobiotic (Nbiotic™) and antibiotic growth promoter (AGP). A total of two hundred (200) day-old chicks with an average initial body weight of 46 ± 0.6 were randomly assigned to four treatment groups, each treatment group having 50 chicks with five replications per group, ten chicks per replicate: 1) control group (CON, basal diet, with no phytobiotics, no antibiotic/0g/kg); 2) Phytobiotic group (basal diet supplemented with 0.5g/kg phytobiotic); 3) Phytobiotic group (basal diet supplemented with 1.0g/kg of phytobiotic); 4) AGP, basal diet supplemented with 5 mg/kg Oxytetracycline. Performance data, intestinal villi morphometry, and gut microbiota were evaluated at 42 days of age. Results of the study indicated significantly (230.29g and 219.42g) higher ADFI in AGP and phytobiotic-fed groups. Average daily gain was significantly (123.40g and 114.29g) higher in 0.5g/kg phytobiotic and AGP supplemented chickens at 22–42 days of age, and higher (70.32g and 68.20g) ADG at 1–42 days of age. The beneficial bacterial count of Lactobacillus spp. and Bacillus spp. were significantly (12.93×10³ cfu/g, 12.57×10³ cfu/g) higher in phytobiotic and AGP (12.41×10³ cfu/g) and Bacillus spp. (12.53×10³ cfu/g, 12.31×10³ cfu/g) phytobiotic and (10.44×10³ cfu/g) antibiotic-fed groups respectively. Similar results were obtained on VH (3350.3 µm and 3365 µm) and (372.4 µm, 355.9 µm) CD and (9.10 µm:9.09 µm) VH:CD. These findings suggest that supplementing phytobiotic in broiler chickens improves daily weight gain, enhances beneficial bacterial counts of Lactobacillus spp. and Bacillus spp., and reduces the pathogenic bacterial count of Clostridium spp. and E. coli. The dose of 0.5g/kg was more effective than 1.0g/kg and thus suggests that 0.5g/kg phytobiotic of this mixture is adequate as recommended by the manufacturers and could be used effectively by broiler producers relative to that of antibiotic growth promoter in broiler chicken production. Further studies are suggested to reassess this formulated phytobiotic.