| A study was undertaken to test the effect of two commercially available probiotics on the production efficiency of broiler chickens. In each of three trials (at 28, 43, and 57 wk of breeder flock age) 1600 broiler chickens were randomly allocated to one of four treatments at the time of hatch: (1) control---no probiotics, (2) InterbacRTM water---InterbacRTM administered in the drinking water, (3) InterbacRTM spray---InterbacRTM administered as a spray, (4) Pro-AviRTM Feed---Pro-Avi RTM administered in the feed. A coccidiostat was included in the feed, but no other antimicrobial agents were administered. The broilers were then reared on straw litter in identical floor pens for a period of six wk. Average weight gain and feed consumption were measured on a weekly basis. There were no significant differences in weight gain, feed conversion, or mortality between treatment and control groups in any of the trials. |
