Effect of malt extract on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and cecal microflora in broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effect of malt extract on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and cecum microbial population of broilers ingrower, finisher, and whole periods. For this experiment, 256 pieces of mixed female and male day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were used in acompletely randomized design with 4 treatments, 8 replications, and 8 birds per replicate from 14 to 49 days of age. Experimental treatments includeda basal diet without additive (control) and a basal diet containing levels of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 percent malt extract. The effect of treatments on growthperformance, intestinal length and weight, nutrient digestibility, and the number of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus in cecum were measured. Theresults showed that in grower, finisher, and whole periods, the addition of malt extract at the level of 0.3 percent, without affecting feed intake,produced the highest daily weight gain and lowest feed conversion ratio compared to other treatments (P≤0.05). Also, the diet containing 0.3 percentof malt extract improved the digestibility of dry matter, protein, and fat and decreased the number of Escherichia coli in the cecum (P≤0.05).According to the results, 0.3 percent malt extract can be used in the diet of broilers to improve the performance and health of gastrointestinal tract.