Effect of prebiotic (fructooligosaccharide) and probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCDC 298) as alternative to antibiotics on the growth performance, gut health, and immune response in broiler chickens

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with prebiotic (fructooligosaccharide) and probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCDC 298) on broiler chickens' growth performance and gut health.A total of 216 Ven Cobb 400 day old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary groups: basal diet (control), antibiotic at 500 g/ton feed (AGP), prebiotic (PRE), and probiotic (PRO) @ 1 mL/day/bird in drinking water.Body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratios were monitored weekly for 42 days.Blood biochemistry and immune response were assessed at specific time points.Carcass traits, gut microbiome, and gut morphology were examined at the end of the trial.The results showed that probiotic and prebiotic supplementation significantly increased final body weight and average daily gain compared to the control group.The probiotic group also had an improved feed conversion ratio.Feed intake, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, and antibody titers for infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were not affected by the treatments.Total E. coli counts were lower in the probiotic and prebiotic groups, while total Salmonella counts were lower and Lactobacillus counts were higher in the probiotic group.Crypt depth in the duodenum was lower in the probiotic group, while the villi height to crypt depth ratio was higher.In conclusion, probiotic and prebiotic supplementation could be a promising alternative to antimicrobials in broiler production.