Administration route and trial repetition shape the effects of a commercial synbiotic on broiler production performance, cecal microbiota and pathogen colonization.

ABSTRACT: Campylobacter and Salmonella are leading causes of foodborne bacterial enteritis, with poultry meat being an important source. This longitudinal field study evaluated the impact of the commercial synbiotic PoultryStar, administered via water or feed, on broiler production performance, gut colonization with Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella Infantis, and cecal microbiota. Two large food business operators were included in the study, with two independent trials conducted at each. A significantly higher European efficiency factor was observed when synbiotic was supplemented in water rather than in feed, although the effect did not differ from the control group. Body weight also tended to increase with synbiotic supplementation in water, although the effect was inconsistent across farms. Fee

SUBMITTER: Avbersek J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12804107 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature