Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin) Improves Live Performance and Microbiological Status of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Two trials of identical design were conducted to evaluate the effects of inclusion of 30 g/ton Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin) from 1 to 42 days on live performance and carcass microbiological status of broiler chickens. Broilers were grown with the treated and control birds physically separated and using different groups of caretakers to prevent cross-contamination. The combined results indicated that inclusion of Calsporin yielded a significant (P≤.05) increase in 42-day body weight and improvement in feed conversion during the 21- to 42-day period. Over both studies, significant (P≤.05) reductions in aerobic plate count, coliforms (non E. coli), and Campylobacter on processed carcasses were observed. All 94 pre-chill carcasses of birds fed the control diet were positive for Salmonella, while 41 of 96 carcasses of birds fed Calsporin were positive. Results of the present study and other recent reports demonstrate that inclusion of certain Bacillus spp. in poultry diets may improve live performance of broilers in the absence of antibiotics and may contribute to on-farm pathogen reduction.