The growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler guinea fowls (<i>Numida meleagris</i>) fed on diets containing RE3™ probiotics

Abstract

The increasing abuse of antibiotics in production of food animals has led to development of resistant strains of bacteria (and other microbiota) which are responsible for several infectious diseases in animals and in humans. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of RE3^TM, a third-generation probiotic used in place of a conventional antibiotics (to minimise incidence of antimicrobial resistance in livestock and human consumers), on growth performance and some carcass characteristics of guinea fowls. One hundred and twenty guinea fowl keets of mixed sexes with an average weight of 28.3±0.364g were used for the study conducted in a Completely Randomised Design. There were 4 treatments in which RE3TM was incorporated at; 0.0ml/kg feed (Diet 1; Control), 1.0ml/kg feed (Diet 2) ,1.5ml/kg feed (Diet 3) and 2.0ml/kg feed (Diet 4); each treatment had 30 birds. The feeding trial covered the entire meat production phase (starter, grower and finisher) which lasted for 84 days. Feed and water were given ad libitum. At maturity (12 weeks old), a total of thirty-six (36) birds (9 from each treatment, comprising 5 males and 4 females across the treatments) were selected, weighed and slaughtered. Carcass and viscera weights were taken, carcasses were then sectioned into primal cuts after 24-hour chilling at 4°C. Breast muscles from sampled carcasses were grilled for sensory evaluation by a trained panel, whilst the thigh muscles were subjected to proximate analyses. Data obtained were analysed for statistical significance using the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Test, of the GenStat Statistical Package (Discovery Edition, VSN, 2012). Results obtained showed higher (p < 0.05) growth rates and lower feed conversion ratio for birds on the diets with 1.0 ml of RE3^TM per Kg feed The carcass and body parts characteristics assessed however, showed no significant differences (p > 0.05), except for the thighs which were heavier (p < 0.05) in birds on the RE3^TM supplemented diets, compared with those on the control diets. The use of RE3™ probiotics, up to 2.0ml/kg feed for guinea fowls, had no adverse effects on the growth of the birds, but it reduced the cost of providing medication for the birds. Fat content in the meat reduced, as inclusions of RE3^TM increased in the diets. It is recommended that relevant Government authorities and other stakeholders should aid in promoting the use of probiotics, instead of antibiotics in livestock production to minimise possible antibiotic residue in meat.