Effect of molasses kombucha on performance, morphology and intestinal microbial population of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of molasses kombucha on performance, intestinal morphology and intestinal microbial population on 320 Ross male broiler chickens in a completely randomized design in 5 treatments and 4 replicate with 16 chickens in each replicate, in the starter (1-10 days old), growth (11-24), the final (25-42) and whole period (1-42). Experimental treatments include drinking water containing: 1) tap water with no kombucha, 2) 0.015 and 0.003 kombucha, respectively, during the starter and growth period, 3) 0.015, 0.003 kombucha and 0.003 three days a week, respectively during the starter, growth and finisher period 4) 0.015 Kombucha during starter and 0.003 kombucha three days a week during growth and finisher period 5) 0.015 Kombucha during starter and growth period and 0.003 kombucha three days a week during finisher. All experimental treatments had a higher body weight gain than the control group (P < 0.05). During the starter and whole periods, except for treatment 2, addition of molasses kombucha significantly improved the feed conversion ratio (P<0.05). There was a significant increase in the villus surface area of the treatments compared to the control group (P<0.05). Molasses kombucha caused a significant increase in the Lactobacillus population and decreased the total coliforms in the cecum environment (P<0.05). In conclusion, 0.015 Kombucha during starter and growth period and 0.003 kombucha three days a week during finisher can improve the performance of broiler chickens.