This article includes the lecture given by Dr. William Ruiz, representative of INPSAS (Colombia), at the XXXI Biovet International Symposium in Tarragona, during the second session dedicated to pronutrients, which took place on May 28th, 2018. With the title, “Effect of the combined use of Alquermold Natural and Alquernat Nebsui in broilers. Administered “ON TOP” and as AGP (Antibiotic Grown Promoters) replacers“, a review of different field trials performed in a Colombian poultry company during the end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018. The veterinarian of the Biovet. S.A team, Dr. Maria Soriano, has made the adaptation of the presentation.

INTRODUCTION

This poultry company used two premix cores, a commercial core called “A”, and an own core called “B”, which obtained unequal results. The issue was that batch using core A obtained a 6 points superior productivity index (PI) compared to the batch using core B. This last group also suffered from rapid intestinal transit.

These were the reasons to perform different trials in which natural products were added to core B, in order to reach the same results as the ones obtained with commercial core A. Trials were performed with the aim of checking the effect of Alquernat Nebsui (product based in intestinal conditioner pronutrients) and Alquermold Natural (natural preservative) could have on productive parameters in batch consuming core B, first, using these natural products “ON TOP” (trial nº1) and, after that, as substitutes (trial nº2) of antibiotic growth promotors (AGPs) that previously present in core B.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Facilities for the trial were located in Bogotá’s savannah, at 2.620 metres above the sea level, where average temperature was of 12ºC. Sheds had open ventilation system, with a density of 15 birds/m² composed of males and females of Ross 308 breed.

During the starter period (1-21 days), both batches used core B. When the fattening stage started, control batch began consuming core A and treatment batch consumed core B, with the Alquernat Nebsui and Alquermold Natural, both in premix presentation, mixed with the feed at a dose of 0.5 kg/T. As mentioned before, in the first trial, both natural products were administered ON TOP and in the second one as substitutes of AGPs.

Chart 1 (left): Nº of animals used for trial 1 = administration “ON TOP”.

Chart 2 (right Nº of animals used for trial 2 = administration substituting AGPs.

Litter, faeces and feet conditions were evaluated weekly. Necropsies were also performed to random animals to assess digestive tract status. At the end of the trial, results of productive parameters were calculated.

RESULTS

As seen in the chart (Chart 1), in the first trial all productive parameters (weight, feed intake and FCR) were improved in the treated batch and mortality was reduced when animals received these natural products administered “ON TOP”.

Intestinal transit also improved, since it was confirmed by a better consistence of faeces, that lead also to an improved litter and feet conditions (Pictures 1 and 2).

Chart 1. Final productive parameters in trial nº1, when treatment was administered “on top”.

FCR = Feed Conversion Rate; I.P. = Productivity index (Efficiency/FCR); Efficiency = (survival x weight x 100) / feed intake.

Pictures 1 and 2: Difference in pigmentation and cushion status between

batch 1 (control) and batch 2 (treatment).

In the next trial (trial nº 2), in which AGPs where substituted by Alquermold Natural and Alquernat Nebsui (Chart 2), all productive parameters where considerably improved compared to the control batch, visible as lower feed intake and similar growth of the animals in less days of production.

Mortality in treated batch was slightly higher. Litter problems described in the beginning where under control thanks to the natural products.

Chart 2. Final productive parameters in trial nº2, when treatment was administered substituting AGPs.

FCR = Feed Conversion Rate; I.P. = Productivity index (Efficiency/FCR); Efficiency = (survival x weight x 100) / feed intake.

CONCLUSION

Inclusion of Alquermold Natural premix and Alquernat Nebsui premix to the premix core B showed that it could reach or even get better results than the core A, and that was the reason why these two natural products where included in the diet formulation of the company. It should be emphasized that litter problems were also solved thanks to the use of Alquermold Natural and Alquernat Nebsui.

Once the second trial was performed, it could be assured that the combined use of these products allowed the replacement of antibiotic growth promoters.

In addition, these natural products have as other advantages that they do not need withdrawal period, they leave no residues in bird tissues and do not create microbial resistance.

At last, costs analysis revealed that the treated batch showed a higher Return On Investment (ROI) = 1:3.25, which showed it was a profitable investment for the poultry farm.