Effect of zootechnical additives on productive and health indicators in broilers

In order to evaluate the effect of three zootechnical additives of Bacillus subtilis on productive and health indicators in broilers, a study was conducted in the poultry farm of the Institute of Animal Science--Mayabeque, Cuba--. For such purpose 200 broilers of the Cuban breeding hybrid [EB.sub.34] were used, in a completely randomized design. Four treatments were studied: T1: control group (CG), T2: C-31, T3: C-34 and T4: E-44, at a dose of [10.sup.9] endospores per gram of concentrate feed. The trial lasted 42 days, and hematological, immunological, productive and health indicators were evaluated. The use of these zootechnical additives did not cause any effect at 21 days on any of the indicators; however, at 35 and 42 days the weight of the bursa of Fabricius, the spleen and the hemagglutination titers to Newcastle vaccine increased (p < 0,001). There were improvements (p < 0,001) in the hematological indicators hemoglobin, hematocrit, globulins, albumins and total proteins at 35 and 42 days of age; as well as an increase of live weight at 35 (p < 0,01) and 42 days (p < 0,001), lower intake at 42 days (p < 0,05), better conversion at 35 (p < 0,001) and 42 days (p < 0,05), and higher feed efficiency at 35 and 42 days (p < 0,001). The indicators mortality and viability did not show differences among the treatments. It is concluded that the addition of these zootechnical additives improved the productive and health responses in broilers. Keywords: Bacillus subtilis, intake, mortality, probiotics