Bacillus cereus var. toyoii and Saccharomyces boulardii increased feed efficiency in broilers infected with Salmonella enteritidis.

Abstract

1. The effect on feed efficiency of two probiotics, one prepared with Saccharomyces boulardii and the other with Bacillus cereus var. toyoii, was tested in broilers infected with Salmonella enteritidis. 2. One-day-old chicks were divided at random into three groups and fed commercial feed devoid of antibiotics: group 1 was fed with non-supplemented feed, group 2 was supplemented with S. boulardii and group 3 with B. cereus. At 14 d of age the animals were challenged by the oral route with 1 x 10(7) viable S. enteritidis. 3. At d 47, average live weights were: group 1, 1.77 kg, group 2, 1.89 kg and group 3, 2.06 kg, and were significantly different. Feed conversion rates were 2.61 for group 1, 2.35 for group 2 and 2.30 for group 3. 4. We conclude that both probiotics improved feed efficiency in broilers.