Incorporating probiotics into poultry management, particularly through in ovo (directly into the egg before hatching) and in-feed supplementation, can provide a sustainable method to enhance the health and productivity of layer hens, suggests research conducted by the University of Connecticut Department of Animal Science.
“In ovo administration of probiotics could be a potential and viable alternative to promote embryonic development in layers,” write the researchers in their report, published in Poultry Science.
The study’s primary objective was to investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation, both in ovo and in feed, on the growth and development of layer embryos and pullets. The researchers assessed whether early probiotic intervention could improve growth, health and productivity in laying hens, aligning with industry demands for natural growth promoters that reduce the need for antibiotics.
Study design
The study used fertile White Leghorn eggs from 42- to 50-week-old layers. The researchers sprayed the eggs with either phosphate-buffered saline (control) or a probiotic cocktail containing Lactobacillus paracasei and L. rhamnosus before and during incubation.
The research team sacrificed the embryos on days 7, 10, 14 and 18 to assess growth. Growth measurements included yolk sac weight, crown-rump length and length of the third digit.
For the pullet growth trial — a pilot study — they fed hatchlings from treated eggs a diet with or without probiotics until week 5 and recorded various growth metrics.
Key findings
Probiotic-treated groups showed enhanced embryo development, translating into stronger and healthier pullets post-hatch. Compared to the control groups, these groups exhibited improved growth metrics such as bodyweight and feed-conversion ratio.
Furthermore, the probiotics helped establish a balanced gut microbiome by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and suppressing harmful ones. This balance is crucial for optimal digestion, nutrient absorption and resistance to pathogens.
The researchers also observed that pullets from probiotic-supplemented eggs grew better and had stronger immune systems, providing better protection against diseases — a critical factor in commercial poultry production.
Final takeaways
This research offers valuable insights for poultry producers. For example, probiotic supplementation, either in ovo or in feed, could reduce dependency on antibiotics, meeting consumer demands for natural, antibiotic-free poultry products and addressing regulatory pressures to minimize antibiotic use in animal farming.
The study opens avenues for further research into the long-term effects of probiotic supplementation on the overall health, performance and productivity of laying hens. Future studies could explore using different probiotic strains or combinations and evaluating their impacts under various environmental and management conditions.
The full paper, “Research Note: In ovo and in-feed probiotic supplementation improves layer embryo and pullet growth,” can be found in the September 2023 edition of Poultry Science and online here.
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