Comparative efficacy of lactose and mannan-oligosaccharides on performance, nutrient digestibility and health status of broiler chicks

Oni, O.O., Alabi, J.O. and Adebayo, R.M. 2020. comparative efficacy of lactose and mannan-oligosaccharides on performance, nutrient digestibility and health status of broiler chicks. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 55(2): 121–128.

This study assessed the responses of growth performance, nutrient digestibility, haematology, serum chemistry and liver enzymes activity in 480 1-d-old Anak 2000 broiler chicks fed graded levels of lactose (LAC) or mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) for 21 d. Prebiotics (LAC and MOS) were added to corn-soybean meal based diets at varying inclusion levels (0, 250, 500 and 750ppm) to form 8 dietary groups. Results revealed that broiler chicks fed prebiotic treated feeds up to 750 ppm LAC and 500 ppm MOS had considerably higher (P°0.05) daily weight gain. Better (P°0.05) feed conversion was obtained in chicks fed 500 ppm MOS compared to other groups. PCV and Hb values obtained in chicks fed 750ppm MOS doubled those of birds fed 250ppm LAC, while birds in LAC 500 group had 28.50% less WBC counts as compared with MOS 250ppm group. Heterophils and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio were greater (P°0.05) in birds fed 500ppm MOS compared with those fed 250ppm LAC. Serum glucose increased (P°0.05) in broilers fed prebiotics-supplemented diets compared with those fed prebiotics-free diets. Total protein and globulin obtained in broilers fed 250ppm LAC were 32 and 45% lower (P°0.05) than those fed 500ppm MOS. Higher (P°0.05) uric acid was obtained in birds fed diet supplemented with 250ppm LAC. Dietary LAC or MOS did not affect (P>0.05) nutrient digestibility, lipid profile and liver enzymes. In conclusion, MOS enhanced growth performance and health status of broiler chicks more efficiently compared to LAC.