Simultaneous Supplementation of Bacillus subtilis and Antibiotic Growth Promoters by Stages Improved Intestinal Function of Pullets by Altering Gut Microbiota.

ABSTRACT: Early nutrition of pullets could determine the overall development and the performance of laying hens. With the aim to reduce the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) and to maintain the growth and development of pullets, the effect of simultaneous short-termed supplementation of AGPs (bacitracin zinc 20 mg/kg and colistin sulfate 4 mg/kg) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) DSM17299 probiotic, as well as the effect of supplementation of AGPs (bacitracin zinc 20 mg/kg and colistin sulfate 4 mg/kg) during the whole period (0~16 weeks) on the overall growth and development, intestinal health, and caecal microbiota of pullets were evaluated. In the present study, a total of 630 one-day-old Hy-Line Brown layers were randomly distributed into five equal groups: including the

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6194165 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature