INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE & BIOLOGY 1560–8530/2005/07–6–1036–1037 http://www.ijab.org Short Communication Effect of Probiotic and Growth Promoters on Chemical Composition of Broiler Carcass TARIQ MAHMOOD 1 , MUHAMMAD SAFDAR ANJUM†, IMTIAZ HUSSAIN† AND RASHIDA PERVEEN† Department of Animal Husbandry, and †University College of Agriculture, Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir 1 Corresponding author’s e-mail: saimasheikh_61@hotmail.com ABSTRACT Experiment was performed to study the effect of probiotics and growth promoters (Protexin, Albac & Dried Curd) on the chemical composition of broiler carcass. Birds were reared under similar environmental and managemental conditions up to 42 days of age except treatments. Chemical composition of all four treatment groups (Randomly divided in to 12 experimental units) was done in the Laboratory for Moisture percentage, Crude protein, Lipids, Ash and Nitrogen Free Extract. The birds using diets supplemented with Protexin, Albac and Dried Curd showed significant effect on the moisture levels in tissue or carcass. The experimental birds using diets supplemented with Protexin, Albac and Dried Curd also revealed a positive effect on the crude protein contents. The range of lipids was observed highest under Albac feeding while its level remained almost in the same range under Protexin and Dried Curd feeding compared to non-treated birds. Ash contents of the broilers, which were not fed any growth promoters or probiotics were noted surprisingly higher than treated birds. However, negligible difference regarding ash contents was observed between the Protexin and Dried Curd fed birds. The matter may be referred to further studies. Key Words: Probiotics; Chemical composition; Growth promoters; Broiler; Carcass INTRODUCTION A number of Probiotics are available in the market with different trade and commercial names bearing very high publicity. Probiotic is a combination of beneficial bacteria adaptable to the intestinal mucosa of all warm- blooded animals. However, the primary bacterial organism is Lactobacillus acidophilus, which implants itself on the villi of the intestinal wall in astronomical numbers thereby creating an acid environment through the very nature of the organism, which grows best at pH of 5.0 to 6.5. The implantation through an effect called crowding begins to take over the environment of the gut producing eventually an excellent state intestinal health, creating an appetite and making available a medium for the complete digestion, absorption and assimilation of all nutrients being acted upon by the intestine. This experiment was conducted to study the effect of probiotics and growth promoters on the chemical composition of broiler carcass. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted at poultry experimental farm of University College of Agriculture, Rawalakot Azad Kashmir in 2002. Two hundred and forty, day old, broiler chicks (Hubbard Classic) were purchased from the Rawalpindi commercial chick hatchery. The chicks were collected from hatchery and then randomly divided into twelve experimental units comprising twenty chicks each. These units were randomly allotted to four experimental treatment groups (A, B, C & D) replicated thrice according to completely randomized design. These units were labeled as A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , C 1 , C 2 , C 3 and D 1 , D 2 , D 3 , respectively for identification. Chicks were wing banded and placed in individual compartments on deep saw dust. The birds were brooded and kept at room temperature. Group B, C and D were provided with Protexin, Albac and Dried Curd according to recommendations of manufacturer.(Protexin @ 1 g L -1 drinking water, Albac @ 100 mg kg -1 feed, Dried curd @100 mg kg -1 feed). Group A was not offered any probiotic and served as control. Treatments were continued up to 35 days and withdrawn one week prior to marketing. Chicks were fed commercial starter broiler ration for the first four weeks and then broiler finisher ration for the last two weeks ad libitum. Clean, fresh water and twenty-four hours light was provided. Vaccination against Newcastle Disease was carried out during 5 th and 24 th day of age intraocularly and in drinking water, respectively using La Sota strain embryo live virus vaccine. Vaccination against infectious bursal disease was also performed during 10 th and 20 th day of age intraocularly. Furthermore, birds were also vaccinated against Hydro Pericardium Syndrome (H.P.S) at 17 th day of age, subcutaneously.