Positive effects of dietary supplementation of three probiotics on milk yield, milk composition and intestinal flora in Sannan dairy goats varied in kind of probiotics

In this study, we investigated the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), Bacillus subtilis (BS) and Enterococcus faecalis (EF), singly and in combination, on the dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and composition, and faecal microflora of Saanen dairy goats. Fifty goats were randomly divided into five groups: (a) basal diet (control); (b) basal diet + SC; (c) basal diet + BS; (d) basal diet + EF; and (e) basal diet + mixed probiotics. Each treated animal received 5 g/d of probiotics for a total administration of 5 × 1,011 CFU/goat per day. The inclusion of B. subtilis and E. faecalis in the diet of lactating Saanen goats increased DMI (p