Influence of probiotic on productive and reproductive traits of Indigenous Naked Neck chicken

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the productive and reproductive
performance of Indigenous Naked Neck (INN) chickens supplemented
with probiotics (Clostridium butyricum and Lactobacillus plantarum). A
total of 120 mature INN chickens (19 weeks old; 12 males and 108
females) were divided into four dietary treatment groups with three
replicates each, consisting of one male and nine females per replicate.
The groups were fed diets supplemented with 0 g/kg (control, T1), 2
g/kg (T2), 4 g/kg (T3), and 8 g/kg (T4) of probiotics. Parameters
assessed included live weight at sexual maturity, age at first laying, egg
production, egg quality, fertility and hatchability rates, embryonic
mortality, and weights of eggs and day-old chicks (DOCs). Results
indicated that live weight at sexual maturity averaged 1820 g for males
and 1200 g for females, with an average age at first laying of 20.43
weeks. Birds in the T4 group achieved the highest egg production (21
eggs per hen per clutch), significantly outperforming the control group
(12 eggs per hen per clutch). Fertility and hatchability rates were
78.57% and 51.28%, respectively, while early and late embryonic
mortality rates were 5.45% and 5.54%.Cost-benefit analysis indicated
economic advantages with higher probiotic supplementation. The
average egg weight was 38.29 g, and DOC weight was 18.0 g. These
findings highlight the significant (P<0.05) potential of probiotics in
enhancing INN chicken productivity, particularly in egg production and
growth, without adversely affecting reproductive traits or egg quality.