Valutazioni preliminari di una miscela di Lactobacillus acidofilus e Lactobacillus plantarum sulle performance della gallina ovaiola e sulla qualità dell'uovo

Lactobacilli are commonly used as probiotics in poultry production for their beneficial effect on the host through maintenance of the gut microbiota balance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a mixture of L.acidophilus and L. plantarum administered with drinking water on egg quality and layer performance. The trial, performed on two different farms, was conducted on 480 laying hens which were housed in pens. The animals, from 21 to 44 weeks of age were divided into two groups: the hens of the Treatment group (T) received water with the supplementation of 100000000 CFU/animal/day of the experimental mixture, while animals of the other group received water without any supplementation (Control =C). Number and weight of eggs were recorded daily, while feed consumption and body weights of the animals were registered every week and monthly, respectively. At 25, 30, 35, 40 and 44 weeks of age, specific gravity of eggs, albumen quality (Haugh Units) and shell thickness were measured on 30 eggs/group. During the experimental period, body weight, daily feed intake and feed conversion rate of the animals were not significantly affected by the supplementation of the microbial feed additive. Moreover, no significant difference was observed in egg production and egg mass of hens between the two groups. Egg quality, instead, was influenced by the experimental treatment; in particular, specific gravity and Haugh Units of eggs in the T group were significantly higher in comparison to the C group. In conclusion, the supplementation of this mixture in drinking water did not influence growth performance of hens, but seemed to improve some characteristic of egg quality.