Dietary Bacillus subtilis- and Clostridium butyricum-based probiotics supplement improves growth and meat quality, and alters microbiota in the excreta of broiler chickens

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of the multi-probiotics consisting of Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium butyricum with varying doses (0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2%) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, and cecal microbes of male broiler chickens. Seven hundred and twenty Ross 308, 1-day-old male broiler chicks were distributed into four dietary groups. Over 35 days of feeding, the average daily gain (ADG) was linearly elevated ( P < 0.05) during days 1–21 and 1–35 as probiotic doses increased. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) tended to be linearly ( P = 0.059) increased from day 22 to 35, and was improved from day 1 to 35 ( P = 0.031). Ascending doses of multi-probiotics tended to ( P = 0.060) reduce Clostridium perfringens counts on day 35 and prompted ( P = 0.001) the proliferation of Lactobacillus. Moreover, broilers fed a 0.1% dose of multi-probiotics had a higher pH and water-holding capacity ( P < 0.05) in the breast meat. In conclusion, the 0.2% multi-probiotics could boost ADG by improving ADFI and modulating the cecal microbe. The dietary 0.1% multi-probiotics contributed to better meat quality.