Effect of Protexin (probiotic) and formic acid on performance of broilers

The effects of Protexin (probiotic) and formic acid were studied on performance in 200 Cobb broiler chicks in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replications and 10 chicks per replicate. The chicks in first group as control were fed with basal diet. The chicks in the second, third and forth groups were fed with food, which contained 0.1 gr/kg Protexin, 0.8 percent formic acid and 0.1 gr/kg Protexin with 0.8 percent Formic acid in diet, respectively. To measurement of performance, broilers and remainder food in each replication were weight, weekly and feed conversion rate were calculated in each week. The results indicated that body weight gain not affected by experimental treatments (P>0.05). Protexin and Protexin + formic acid in grower period and Protexin in finisher period reduced feed intake (P<0.05). Treatment groups improved feed conversion rate in grower and finisher periods (P<0.05) but the forth group were not significantly different from second and third groups (P>0.05). Thymus and bursa of Fabricius weights were increased in treatment groups (P<0.05). It is concluded that Protexin and formic acid improved feed conversion rate and increased weights of thymus and bursa of Fabricius, synergism effect of Protexin and formic acid on performance did not observe.