Animal Nutrition 5 (2019) 179e184

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Animal Nutrition
journal homepage: http://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/aninu/

Original Research Article

A multi-strain probiotic administered via drinking water enhances

feed conversion efficiency and meat quality traits in indigenous
chickens
Judith A. Atela a, Victor Mlambo b, Caven M. Mnisi c, d, *
a
Animal Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, PO Box 536, Egerton, 20115, Kenya
b
School of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, P Bag x11283, Mbombela, 1200, South Africa
c
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, P Bag x2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa
d
Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North West University, Mafikeng, 2745, South Africa

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Whereas the use of probiotics is commonplace in commercial production of improved chicken strains,
Received 9 March 2018 little is known about the impact of these live microbial feed additives in indigenous chickens in South
Received in revised form Africa. This study investigated the effect of a multi-strain probiotic (containing Bacillus safensis, Bacillus
3 August 2018
subtilis, Bacillus megaterium and Cupriavidus metallidurans, total bacteria number was 1.4
108 cfu/mL),
Accepted 20 August 2018
Available online 21 October 2018
administered via drinking water, on growth performance, blood parameters, and carcass and meat
quality characteristics of Potchefstroom koekoek cockerels for a period of 12 weeks. A total of 140 five-
week-old cockerels were randomly allocated to 4 experimental diets formulated to have similar energy
Keywords:
Antibiotics
and protein levels as follows: 1) negative control diet (CON; commercial chicken grower diet without
Blood parameters both antibiotics and probiotics), 2) positive control diet (ANTIB; commercial chicken grower diet with
Indigenous chickens antibiotics [0.05% Coxistac and 0.04% olaquindox] but no probiotics), 3) negative control diet plus 2.5 mL
Meat of probiotics per litre of water (PROB25) and 4) negative control with 5.0 mL of probiotics per litre of
Probiotic water (PROB50). There was a significant (P < 0.05) week and diet interaction effect on average weekly
feed conversion efficiency. At 9 weeks of age, cockerels in PROB50 group had higher (P < 0.05) feed
conversion efficiency than those in CON and ANTIB groups. However, 14-week-old cockerels in PROB50
group had lower (P < 0.05) feed conversion efficiency than those in ANTIB group. Treatments had no
significant (P > 0.05) effect on overall feed intake, overall weight gain and haematoebiochemical pa-
rameters of cockerels. Gizzard and spleen weights were similar (P > 0.05) in PROB50, CON and PROB25
groups. Cockerels in PROB50 group had shorter (P < 0.05) small intestine than those in CON and PROB25
groups. Cockerels in PROB50 group had larger (P < 0.05) breast weight than those in PROB25 group.
Cockerels in ANTIB and PROB50 groups had greater (P < 0.05) wing and thigh weights than those in CON
and PROB25 groups. Shank weight was similar (P > 0.05) in PROB50, CON and ANTIB groups. Meat pH
measured after 24 h of slaughter was the highest (P < 0.05) in CON and ANTIB groups followed by
PROBO25 and PROB50 groups. Cockerels in CON group had lower (P < 0.05) cooking losses than those in
ANTIB, PROB25 and PROB50 groups. It was concluded that probiotics can be used in place of prophylactic
antibiotics in Potchefstroom koekoek cockerels.
© 2018, Chinese Association of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine. Production and hosting
by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. This is an open access article under the
CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (C.M. Mnisi).
Peer review under responsibility of Chinese Association of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine.

Production and Hosting by Elsevier on behalf of KeAi

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aninu.2018.08.002
2405-6545/© 2018, Chinese Association of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. This is
an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
180 J.A. Atela et al. / Animal Nutrition 5 (2019) 179e184

1. Introduction 2.2. Study site and sources of treatments

Indigenous chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) play important The study was conducted at North-West University Molelwane
nutritional and socio-economic roles for people residing in rural experimental farm (25 86’00’’S; 25 64’32’’E) located in the semi-
communities because they provide high quality dietary protein and arid region of the North West province, South Africa. The study
serve as a ready source of income (Kingori et al., 2010; Khobondo was conducted during the summer season with temperatures
et al., 2015). These chickens have the potential to supply food to ranging from 25 to 36  C, and an average annual rainfall of 450 mm.
rural communities by converting accessible, non-conventional feed All feed ingredients were purchased from Optifeeds (PTY) Ltd.
resources found around households into usable protein in the form (North West province, South Africa), whereas the probiotics were
of eggs and meat. However, their productivity is low mainly due to acquired from Molaplus Ltd. (Nakuru, Kenya). The probiotic
suboptimal nutrition causing low growth rates, poor egg production (1.4
108 cfu/mL) contained the following beneficial bacteria,
and high mortality rate (Atela et al., 2015; Khobondo et al., 2015). which were identified via 16S rRNA gene sequencing: Bacillus
Commercial production of these naturally slow growing chickens safensis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium and Cupriavidus
would require an inexpensive ration as a strategy to reduce feed metallidurans.
costs and the incorporation of probiotics to improve their perfor-
mance without resorting to the use of antibiotic feed additives.
2.3. Dietary formulation and experimental design
Furthermore, selecting a breed such as the Potchefstroom koekoek
for large-scale intensive production would be economically-friendly
Four dietary treatments were formulated to be isonitrogenous
as the breed is known for its high ability to convert feed, high growth
and isoenergetic using Format nutritional software from Optifeeds
rates, excellent mothering abilities, and survivability under extreme
(PTY) Ltd. The treatments were formulated as follows: negative
environmental conditions compared to most of the indigenous
control diet (CON; commercial chicken growers' diet without both
breeds in South Africa (Matshogo et al., 2018).
antibiotics and probiotics in the water), positive control diet
To maintain poultry health in large-scale production units, the
(ANTIB; commercial chicken growers’ diet with antibiotics [Cox-
use of probiotics is inevitable. The rapid adoption of probiotics in
istac and olaquindox] but no probiotics), negative control diet plus
poultry production gained attention after the social pressures to
2.5 mL of probiotics per litre of water (PROB25), and negative
ban the use of in-feed antibiotics as growth promoters. This was
control with 5.0 mL of probiotics per litre of water (PROB50), as
due to the concerns regarding development of antibiotic-resistant
shown in Table 1. A total of 140 four-week-old male Potchefstroom
microorganisms and the existence of antibiotic residues in animal
koekoek indigenous chickens were purchased from a local farm
products (Da Costa et al., 2011; Mnisi et al., 2017). As a consequence,
(Zeerust, North West province, South Africa). The cockerels were
poor performance and a rise in poultry diseases such as necrotic
initially fed a commercial grower diet until they reached five weeks
enteritis were reported (Cho et al., 2011). This prompted the need to
of age. At 5 weeks of age, the birds were randomly and evenly
identify and introduce probiotics as a viable alternative to antibi-
allocated to 20 replicate pens (experimental units) measuring 3.5 m
otics to enhance poultry performance. Probiotics have been re-
length
1.0 m breadth
1.85 m height, with each pen carrying
ported to improve the performance of chickens by maintaining a
healthy microbial balance within the intestine to promote gut
integrity and prevent enteric diseases (Khan et al., 2011; Cox and
Table 1
Dalloul, 2015). The positive effects of probiotics are thought to be Ingredient and chemical composition of diets on an as-fed basis (%, unless otherwise
accomplished through three main mechanisms: competitive stated).
exclusion, bacterial antagonism, and stimulation of the immune
Item CON ANTIB
system (Ohimain and Ofongo, 2012).
Albazaz and Buyukunal-Bal (2014) reported that probiotics Ingredients
Yellow maize-fine 69.9 69.9
improve resistance to pathogenic bacterial colonization and enhance
Prime gluten 60 1.8 1.8
mucosal immunity, and consequently reduce pathogenic load, which Full fat soya meal 5.1 5.1
ultimately improve the performance and health status of the birds. Soybean meal 19.7 19.7
Several studies have been conducted to determine the effects of Limestone powder-fine 1.45 1.45
probiotics on growth indices and their general effect on the micro- Mono calcium phosphate 0.72 0.72
NaCl (salt-fine) 0.32 0.32
biota and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens (Ashayerizadeh Sodium carbonate 0.17 0.17
et al., 2011). However, there is paucity of information on the Choline powder 0.075 0.075
comparative effectiveness of probiotics in indigenous chickens, Lysine 0.279 0.279
particularly Potchefstroom koekoek. Therefore, this study was L-threonine 0.041 0.041
Methionine 0.187 0.187
designed to investigate the effect of 2 levels of probiotics as feed ad-
Growers-phytase 0.167 0.167
ditives on growth performance, haematological parameters, serum Coxistac e 0.05
biochemical indices, carcass characteristics and meat quality traits in Olaquindox e 0.04
Potchefstroom koekoek cockerels. We hypothesised that using pro- Chemical composition
biotics in place of prophylactic antibiotics improves growth perfor- Dry matter 92.35 92.35
Crude protein 18.94 18.94
mance, health and meat quality in Potchefstroom koekoek cockerels. Metabolisable energy, MJ/kg 12.10 12.10
Crude fat 6.24 6.24
2. Materials and methods Crude fibre 4.18 4.18
Calcium 0.85 0.85
Phosphorus 0.56 0.56
2.1. Ethics statement
Sodium 0.18 0.18
Chloride 0.30 0.30
All experimental procedures used to rear and slaughter chickens Potassium 0.73 0.73
were reviewed and approved by the Animal Research Ethics Com- CON ¼ negative control diet (commercial chicken grower diet without both anti-
mittee, North West University (AREC-MC) (approval No. NWU- biotics and probiotics in the water); ANTIB ¼ positive control diet (commercial
00562-17-59). chicken grower diet with antibiotics [Coxistac & olaquindox] but no probiotics).
 J.A. Atela et al. / Animal Nutrition 5 (2019) 179e184 181

seven birds replicated 5 times. The birds were allowed to adapt to (Rooigrond, South Africa). At the abattoir, the birds were electrically
the four treatments (CON, ANTIB, PROB25 and PROB50) for one stunned before being slaughtered by cutting the jugular vein with a
week before the experiment commenced at 6 weeks of age. Feed sharp knife and left hanging until bleeding ended. After defeat-
and water were offered ad libitum for the entire duration of the hering, the cockerels were taken to the Animal Science Laboratory
experiment (12 weeks) under natural lighting. of the North-West University for determination of internal organs
and carcass characteristics. Carcasses were weighed immediately
2.4. Chemical analysis after slaughter to obtain the hot carcass weight (HCW) and after
24 h of chilling to obtain the cold carcass weight (CCW). The
The basal diets were analysed for laboratory dry matter (DM, dressing out percentage was calculated as the proportion of HCW to
AOAC, 2005; method No. 930.15) and total nitrogen using the slaughter weight. Weights of internal organs and carcass parts were
standard macro-Kjeldahl method (AOAC, 2005, method No. 984.13). expressed as a proportion (%) of HCW, except for intestines whose
Total nitrogen was converted to crude protein (CP) using a factor of size (cm) was measured with a measuring tape.
6.25. Crude fibre was determined using the ANKOM2000 Fibre
analyser (ANKOM Technology, New York, USA) by refluxing with 2.8. Meat quality traits
0.255 mol/L crude fibre acid solution followed by 0.313 mol/L crude
fibre base solution. Crude fat and metabolisable energy were pre- 2.8.1. Meat pH and colour
dicted using the models from the near infrared reflectance spec- Meat pH was measured on the breast muscle of each bird 24 h
troscopy SpectraStar XL (Unity Scientific, Australia). Minerals after slaughter using a portable digital pH meter (CRISON pH24,
(calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride and potassium) were ana- CRISON Instruments SA, Spain) with a piercing electrode. After
lysed following guidelines from Agri Laboratory Association of every 20 measurements, the pH meter was calibrated with pH 4, pH
Southern Africa (AgriLASA, 1998). 7 and pH 10 standard solutions (Ingold Messtechnik AG, Udorf,
Switzerland). The colour of meat (lightness [L*] and yellowness
2.5. Feed intake and growth performance [b*]) was determined on the breast meat 24 h after slaughter using
Minolta colour-guide (Spectrophotometer CM 2500c, Konika Min-
Average weekly feed intake (AWFI) per cockerel was measured olta, Osaka, Japan) with a 20 mm diameter measurement area with
from 7 to 18 weeks of age by subtracting the weight of the feed innovative 45 a:0 geometry optics. The colour measurements were
refused from that of the feed offered and dividing the difference by taken on the dorsal surface of the left breast fillet (bone side) in
the total number of cockerels in the pen. The initial live-weights of triplicate.
the cockerels were measured at the beginning of the experiment.
Thereafter, average live-weights were measured weekly by
weighing all the birds in each pen. These live-weights were used to 2.8.2. Cooking losses and meat tenderness
For the determination of cooking losses, raw breast muscle
calculate the average weekly weight gain (AWG) per bird as
follows: samples were individually weighed to obtain initial weight of the
breast muscle. The samples were then placed in foil plate and oven
AWG ¼ WðTÞ  Wðt0 Þ; broiled (dry heating) at 140  C for 20 min. The broiled samples were
then removed from the oven and left to cool for 20 min. The
where t0 ¼ initial time (d); T ¼ final time (d); W(T) ¼ final body samples were then re-weighed to obtain the cooked weight. The
weight/bird (g), and W(t0) ¼ initial body weight/bird (g). Feed cooking losses were calculated as the difference between the
conversion efficiency was calculated as AWG divided by AWFI per weight of raw meat and cooked meat. Meat tenderness was
bird. determined on the breast muscle samples used to determine
cooking losses. The subsamples measuring 2 cm high
2 cm
2.6. Haematology and serum biochemistry parameters wide
15 cm long were sheared perpendicular to the fibre direc-
tion using a Meullenet-Owens Razor Shear Blade (A/MORS)
At 17 weeks of age, 2 birds from each pen were randomly mounted on a Texture Analyser (TA XT plus, Stable Micro Systems,
selected prior to feeding and about 4 mL of blood was drawn from Surrey, UK). The reported value represented the average of the peak
the brachial vein for blood analyses. The blood was collected into force measurements on each sample in Newtons (N).
two sets of sterilised tubes. Tubes containing ethyl-
enediaminetetraacetic acid as an anticoagulant were used to collect 2.9. Statistical analyses
blood for haematological analyses, whereas tubes without antico-
agulant were used to collect blood for serum biochemical analyses. All reported parameters were tested for normality using the
The blood samples were analysed using automated IDEXX Laser- NORMAL option in the Proc Univariate statement before being
Cyte Haematology Analyser (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.). The hae- subjected to analysis of variance. Average weekly feed intake,
matological indices analysed were erythrocyte count, haemoglobin, weight gain and feed conversion efficiency data were analysed
leucocyte count, neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. While, using repeated measures analysis (SAS, 2010). The following sta-
the serum biochemical indices measured were total protein, albu- tistical linear model was employed:
min, glucose, cholesterol, chloride, sodium, potassium, creatinine,
bilirubin, calcium, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, Yijk ¼ m þ Ti þ Wj þ ðT
WÞij þ Eijk;
phosphate inorganic and urea using an automated IDEXX Vet Test
Chemistry Analyser (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.). where Yijk ¼ dependant variable, m ¼ population mean, Ti ¼ effect of
treatments, Wj ¼ effect of week, (T
W)ij ¼ effect of interaction
2.7. Slaughter procedure, carcass traits between treatments and week, Eijk ¼ random error associated with
observation ijk, assumed to be normally and independently
At the end of the feeding trial, all the birds were starved for 13 h distributed.
to ensure the complete emptying of the crop (Ari et al., 2013). All Overall feed intake, overall weight gain, haematology, serum
cockerels were transported to a local abattoir for slaughter biochemistry, carcass characteristics and meat quality parameters
182 J.A. Atela et al. / Animal Nutrition 5 (2019) 179e184

were analysed using the general linear models procedure of SAS Table 3
(2010). The following linear statistical model was employed: Effect of probiotic supplementation on haematological and serum biochemical pa-
rameters of Potchefstroom koekoek cockerels.

Yij ¼ m þ Ti þ Eij; Item CON ANTIB PROB25 PROB50 SEM

Haematological parameters
where Yij ¼ observation of the dependent variable, m ¼ population Erythrocyte count,
1012/L 2.96 2.80 2.80 2.86 0.079
mean, Ti ¼ effect of treatments, Eij ¼ random error associated with Haemoglobin, g/dL 10.70 9.94 10.24 10.32 0.320
observation ij, assumed to be normally and independently Leucocyte count,
109/L 21.50 21.22 16.26 21.46 2.475
Lymphocytes,
109/L 18.98 19.34 11.68 19.50 2.424
distributed. For all statistical tests, significance was declared at
Monocytes,
109/L 0.38 0.36 0.74 0.74 0.277
P < 0.05. Least squares means (LSMEANS) were compared using the Neutrophils,
109/L 1.52 1.14 3.16 0.82 0.695
probability of difference option in the LSMEANS statement of SAS. Serum biochemical parameters
Albumin, g/L 15.70 15.20 16.30 15.70 0.477
ALT, U/L 0.70 0.90 2.40 0.60 0.473
3. Results AST, U/L 190.5 181.3 186.0 190.5 5.141
Bilirubin, mmol/L 0.58 0.46 1.00 0.36 0.205
Repeated measures analysis showed a significant (P < 0.05) Calcium, mmol/L 3.30 2.98 3.22 3.28 0.114
week and diet interaction effect on feed conversion efficiency but Chloride, mmol/L 112.5 113.4 111.9 112.4 1.025
Cholesterol, mmol/L 3.18 3.04 3.18 3.24 0.134
not on AWFI and AWG. Table 2 shows that at the age of 9 weeks,
Creatinine, mmol/L 18.70 18.40 18.70 18.10 0.411
cockerels in PROB50 group had higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion Glucose, mmol/L 12.50 13.22 13.84 14.02 0.410
efficiency than those in CON and ANTIB groups. There was no dif- Phosphate inorganic, mmol/L 2.26 2.12 2.16 2.00 0.094
ference (P > 0.05) between 9-week old cockerels in PROB50 and Potassium, mmol/L 4.28 3.90 4.06 3.88 0.168
PROB25 groups in terms of feed conversion efficiency. At 14 weeks Sodium, mmol/L 146.9 146.4 146.2 146.9 0.360
Total protein, g/L 39.50 41.70 43.30 42.30 1.329
of age, cockerels in PROB50 group had lower (P < 0.05) feed con-
Urea, mmol/L 0.24 0.32 0.30 0.26 0.030
version efficiency than those in ANTIB group. There were no dif-
CON ¼ negative control diet (commercial chicken grower diet without both anti-
ferences (P > 0.05) in terms of feed conversion efficiency among 14-
biotics and probiotics in the water); ANTIB ¼ positive control diet (commercial
week old cockerels in PROB25, CON and ANTIB groups. Dietary chicken grower diet with antibiotics [Coxistac & olaquindox] but no probiotics);
treatments had no significant (P > 0.05) effects on overall feed PROB25 ¼ negative control diet plus 2.5 mL of probiotics per litre of water;
intake (5.81 to 6.32 kg/bird) and overall weight gain (1.12 to1.37 kg/ PROB50 ¼ negative control with 5.0 mL of probiotics per litre of water;
bird). Table 3 shows that probiotics had no effect (P > 0.05) on ALT ¼ alanine transaminase; AST ¼ aspartate transaminase.

haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Potchefst-

room koekoek cockerels. and thigh weights compared to treatments CON and PROB25,
Table 4 shows that probiotics significantly (P < 0.05) influenced which did not differ (P > 0.05). Cockerels in PROB25 and PROB50
the size of gizzards, spleens and small intestines. Cockerels in groups did not differ (P > 0.05) in terms of shank weights. There
PROB50 and ANTIB groups had similar (P < 0.05) gizzard and spleen were no differences (P > 0.05) among PROB50, CON and ANTIB
weights. Cockerels in PROB50 group had shorter (P < 0.05) small cockerels in terms of shank weights.
intestines compared to those in CON and PROB25 groups. Cockerels Table 6 shows that probiotic supplementation affected (P < 0.05)
in PROB50 and ANTIB groups had similar (P > 0.05) small intestines meat pH and cooking losses. Cockerels in CON and ANTIB groups
lengths. had the highest (P < 0.05) meat pH measured after 24 h of
Table 5 shows that dietary treatments had significant (P < 0.05) slaughter, followed by those in PROB25 group and lastly those in
influence on breast, wing, thigh and shank weights. Cockerels in PROB50 group. Cockerels in CON group had lower (P < 0.05)
PROB50 group did not differ (P > 0.05) with those in CON and ANTIB cooking losses (19.84%) compared to those in ANTIB, PROB25 and
groups in terms of breast weights. However, treatment PROB50 PROB50 groups, which did not differ (P > 0.05).
promoted larger (P < 0.05) breast weights than treatment PROB25.
Treatments ANTIB and PROB50 promoted greater (P < 0.05) wing 4. Discussion

Table 2 The use of antibiotics in animal feed is widely frowned-upon

Effect of probiotic supplementation on feed conversion efficiency of Potchefstroom
due to the proliferation of drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria
koekoek cockerels.
(Gong et al., 2014) as well as the negative, direct effects of antibiotic
Item CON ANTIB PROB25 PROB50 SEM Significance residues in animal products on human health. This has resulted in
Week 7 0.370 0.393 0.332 0.451 0.0424 NS rising demand for antibiotic-free animal products produced using
Week 8 0.304 0.282 0.259 0.284 0.0233 NS green and pollution-free additives (Phillips et al., 2004). Probiotic
Week 9 0.191a 0.202a 0.306ab 0.370b 0.0398 *
supplementation is said to modify gut microbiota and improve
Week 10 0.219 0.194 0.231 0.239 0.0165 NS
Week 11 0.282 0.232 0.233 0.237 0.0152 NS physiological responses of poultry birds (Alloui et al., 2013; Wang
Week 12 0.244 0.241 0.272 0.319 0.0217 NS et al., 2017), and thus could be a viable alternative to improve the
Week 13 0.249 0.188 0.208 0.211 0.0261 NS performance of indigenous chickens. This study represents the first
Week 14 0.205ab 0.275b 0.252ab 0.188a 0.0216 * attempt to investigate the effect of probiotics, administered
Week 15 0.223 0.199 0.254 0.192 0.0196 NS
Week 16 0.159 0.151 0.150 0.198 0.0160 NS
through drinking water, on physiological response and meat quality
Week 17 0.141 0.130 0.147 0.133 0.0098 NS characteristics of a South African indigenous chicken strain,
Week 18 0.131 0.123 0.223 0.137 0.0396 NS Potchefstroom koekoek.
CON ¼ negative control diet (commercial chicken grower diet without both anti- Repeated measures analyses showed a significant diet and week
biotics and probiotics in the water); ANTIB ¼ positive control diet (commercial interaction effect on feed conversion efficiency, suggesting that the
chicken grower diet with antibiotics [Coxistac & olaquindox] but no probiotics); efficiency of the cockerels in converting experimental diets into
PROB25 ¼ negative control diet plus 2.5 mL of probiotics per litre of water; body mass depended on the age of the cockerels. Feeding 5.0 mL/L
PROB50 ¼ negative control with 5.0 mL of probiotics per litre of water.
NS indicates the difference was not significant (P > 0.05), and * indicates a significant
probiotics to 9-week old cockerels resulted in higher feed conver-
difference (P < 0.05). sion efficiency, signifying that this higher dosage of probiotics
a, b
In a row, means with different superscripts significantly differ at P < 0.05. improved the efficiency of feed conversion. However, as the
 J.A. Atela et al. / Animal Nutrition 5 (2019) 179e184 183

Table 4
Effect of probiotic supplementation on size of internal organs (% HCW, unless otherwise stated) of Potchefstroom koekoek cockerels.

Item CON ANTIB PROB25 PROB50 SEM Significance

Gizzards 3.02a 3.84b 2.89a 3.47ab 0.173 ***

Proventriculi 0.56 0.57 0.52 0.54 0.037 NS
Hearts 0.82 0.92 0.77 0.80 0.05 NS
Livers 2.33 2.49 2.18 2.20 0.093 NS
Spleens 0.28a 0.36b 0.27a 0.32ab 0.019 *
Small intestines, cm 125.5b 114.8ab 124.8b 109.0a 3.783 *
Large intestines, cm 4.25 4.73 4.71 4.36 0.379 NS

HCW ¼ hot carcass weight; CON ¼ negative control diet (commercial chicken grower diet without both antibiotics and probiotics in the water); ANTIB ¼ positive control diet
(commercial chicken grower diet with antibiotics [Coxistac & olaquindox] but no probiotics); PROB25 ¼ negative control diet plus 2.5 mL of probiotics per litre of water;
PROB50 ¼ negative control with 5.0 mL of probiotics per litre of water.
NS indicate the difference was not significant (P > 0.05), and * or *** indicate a significant difference (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).
a, b
In a row, means with different superscripts significantly differ at P < 0.05.

conducted by Lee et al. (2010) and Zhang et al. (2011), who reported
Table 5 no positive results on growth performance of chickens fed with
Effect of probiotic supplementation on carcass traits (% HCW, unless otherwise
various probiotic supplements.
stated) of Potchefstroom koekoek cockerels.
Haematological and serum biochemical parameters are useful
Item CON ANTIB PROB25 PROB50 SEM Significance indicators of physiological responses of animals to the diet they are
Heads 5.05 4.77 4.64 4.90 0.297 NS consuming (Madubuike and Ekenyem, 2006). In this study, pro-
Necks 5.20 5.93 5.19 5.50 0.309 NS biotic supplementation had no effect on blood parameters, with all
Breasts 8.79ab 11.45b 6.80a 10.68b 0.872 ***
reported values falling within the normal ranges for healthy
Wings 4.29a 6.41b 4.02a 6.56b 0.461 ***
Thighs 5.02a 7.39b 4.63a 7.71b 0.573 *** indigenous chickens (Ibrahim, 2012). The lack of differences in
Drumsticks 5.43 7.43 5.17 7.34 0.669 NS blood parameters of chickens offered probiotics and those on the
Shanks 3.30b 3.48b 2.85a 3.15ab 0.153 * positive control (antibiotics), suggests that probiotics and antibi-
HCW, kg 1.13 0.97 1.14 1.12 0.045 NS otics equally promoted optimal health status in Potchefstroom
CCW, kg 1.10 0.95 1.12 1.09 0.047 NS
koekoek cockerels.
Dressing out, % 62.09 56.82 56.17 58.42 11.48 NS
Cockerels in PROB50 group had shorter small intestines
HCW ¼ hot carcass weight; CON ¼ negative control diet (commercial chicken
compared to those fed on the negative control diet. This was ex-
grower diet without both antibiotics and probiotics in the water); ANTIB ¼ positive
control diet (commercial chicken grower diet with antibiotics [Coxistac & ola- pected as probiotics are known to adhere to the intestinal walls and
quindox] but no probiotics); PROB25 ¼ negative control diet plus 2.5 mL of pro- enhance nutrient utilisation and increase the rate of digestion,
biotics per litre of water; PROB50 ¼ negative control with 5.0 mL of probiotics per thereby reducing the time of the digesta remains in the gut.
litre of water; CCW ¼ cold carcass weight. However, without probiotic supplementation, the digesta will
NS indicate the difference was not significant (P > 0.05), and * or *** indicate a
remain in the gut for prolonged periods, resulting in the elongation
significant difference (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).
a, b
In a row, means with different superscripts significantly differ at P < 0.05. of small intestines as an adaptive mechanism to accommodate
higher quantities of digesta. Treatments ANTIB and PROB50
increased gizzard and spleen weights when compared with treat-
Table 6 ments CON and PROB25, confirming the potential of probiotic
Effect of probiotic supplementation on meat quality parameters of Potchefstroom
supplementation to replace antibiotics in diets of Potchestroom
koekoek cockerels 24 h after slaughter.
koekoek cockerels, however, results indicated that a higher dosage
Item CON ANTIB PROB25 PROB50 SEM Significance of probiotics is more effective.
pH 5.94 c
5.93c
5.80 b
5.49a
0.033 *** Although, there was no significant effect on overall weight gain,
L* 65.01 60.63 64.94 65.44 2.082 NS while supplementation with probiotics influenced some carcass
b* 17.30 16.77 17.60 19.58 0.974 NS characteristics such as wing, breast, thigh and shank weights. This
Cooking losses, % 19.84a 26.52b 25.00b 25.67b 1.642 *
Peak force, N 7.72 8.39 11.09 8.89 1.126 NS
was in agreement with the findings of Wang et al. (2017) that
probiotics have a growth promoting effect on body weights of
CON ¼ negative control diet (commercial chicken grower diet without both anti-
chickens. Furthermore, treatments were shown to influence meat
biotics and probiotics in the water); ANTIB ¼ positive control diet (commercial
chicken grower diet with antibiotics [Coxistac & olaquindox] but no probiotics); pH measured 24 h after slaughter, indicating that pH of meat
PROB25 ¼ negative control diet plus 2.5 mL of probiotics per litre of water; changes with storage time. However, the addition of probiotics
PROB50 ¼ negative control with 5.0 mL of probiotics per litre of water; reduced meat pH, which was in contrast with the findings of
L* ¼ lightness; b* ¼ yellowness. Hossain et al. (2012) and Saleh (2014), who reported that probiotic
NS indicate the difference was not significant (P > 0.05), and * or *** indicate a
significant difference (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).
supplements improve meat pH. It is not clear why probiotics
a, b, c
In a row, means with different superscripts significantly differ at P < 0.05. negatively affected the pH of meat which is a parameter that can be
influenced by several factors as explained by Muchenje et al.
(2009). Supplementation of probiotics had no effect on meat
cockerels in PROB50 group grew older, their efficiency in convert- colour and tenderness; however, it negatively affected cooking
ing feed declined, suggesting that feed utilization declined with losses, which is in line with the findings by Castellini et al. (2002)
age. Several studies have reported that probiotic supplementation who reported that a drop in pH ultimately affects the ability of
improves growth performance but the efficacy of the probiotics meat to retain its water, resulting in high cooking losses.
depends on the application method, administration level, basal
diet, the type of strains and the concentration of the probiotic 5. Conclusion
(Patterson and Burkholder, 2003). However, in this study, supple-
mentation with probiotics had no significant effect on overall feed This study reveals that the multi-strain probiotic has potential
intake and overall weight gain. This is in line with studies for use as an alternative to prophylactic antibiotics in diets of
184 J.A. Atela et al. / Animal Nutrition 5 (2019) 179e184

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