To avoid diseases resulting from high pathogenic pressure in intensive broiler and turkey housing systems, antibiotic growth promoters have been used in many cases in the past. Since the EU-prohibition of these products, an increasing interest exists for alternatives to support the microbiota in the intestine and for the maintenance of animal health.

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Improving poultry health and production
efficiency with probiotics
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3. T
o avoid diseases resulting from high
pathogenic pressure in intensive
broiler and turkey housing systems,
antibiotic growth promoters have been
used in many cases in the past. Since
the EU-prohibition of these products, an
increasing interest exists for alternatives to
support the microbiota in the intestine and
for the maintenance of animal health.
Therefore, the use of probiotics has
been established. Probiotics are living
cultures of non-pathogenic strains of
bacteria and yeasts which are able to
influence the microbiota in the intestine
of the host animal in a positive way (Fuller
1989). Many of the known probiotics are
unable to survive the techniques used in
modern feed production, for example
heat exposure during the pelleting proc-
ess of temperatures up to 90°C. One
possibility to mitigate these problems
is the use of spore forming probiotics,
especially probiotics of the genus Bacillus
subtilis. Also, the compatibility with other
feed additives, such as organic acids, coc-
cidiostats and antibiotics for therapeutic
purposes, has to be considered in
a practical situation.
Mode of action
Potential probiotics are charac-
terized by the forming of natural
colonies with a complex aerobic
structure, which has to be seen
in connection with higher bacte-
rial possibilities (Image 1). If bacteria
are kept in an artificial environment
('domesticated'), they lose many of
their natural capabilities. Therefore
probiotics can be evaluated in a
simple plate test concerning to their
efficacy due to their aerobic form
(Aguilar et al. 2007).
Different modes of action form the basis
of the use of Bacillus subtilis in poultry feed,
so the influence of improved production
parameters can be explained. Bacillus subtilis
consumes oxygen in the digestive tract and
produces different enzymes like, for exam-
ple, subtilisin and catalase. As a result, the
environmental conditions for beneficial bac-
teria, such as Lactobacilli, will improve. These
bacteria colonize the gut wall and block
the binding sites of pathogenic bacteria,
a mechanism called competitive inhibition.
Additionally, Lactobacilli produce lactic acid,
which can affect pathogenic bacteria, such
as, Salmonella, E. Coli, Campylobacter and
Clostridiae (Hosoi et al. 2000).
Many trial results, concerning the reduc-
tion of these pathogens have already been
published (Marutra et al. 1996, Fritts et al.
2000, La Ragione and Woodward 2003).
For example, Maruta et al. (1996) described
not only fewer infected animals in a trial with
in total 18,000 broilers, but also a reduced
concentration of pathogenic bacteria in the
faeces of infected animals was observed
(Table 1).
In another research trial in broilers, a
reduction of campylobacter infection from
Improving
poultry health
and production
efficiency with
probiotics
by Dr Detlef Kampf
Orffa Additives, the Netherlands
Table 1: Influence of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin®
) on the concentration of Clostridium
perfringens and Salmonella (Maruta et al. 1996)
control
(9,000 broiler)
Calsporin®
Bacillus subtilis C-3102
(3x108 CFU/kg feed)
Clostridium perfringens, log10/g faeces 3.39±0.79 2.62±0.47*
Cl. perfringens, % positive animals 93% 47%*
Salmonella spp., log10/g faeces 2.97±0.36 3.06±0.62
Salmonella spp., % positive animals 57% 17%*
* P<0.01
Image 1: Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (compact and
singular colony form)
Bacillus subtilis
(incoherent colony form)
Grain&feed millinG technoloGy20 | July - august 2013
FEATURE

4. 100 percent in the control group to 40
percent in the trial group was found when
Bacillus subtilis was fed from day 34 to 56,
and to 16 percent when Bacillus subtilis was
fed from day 17 - 56 (Maruta et al. 1996).
Also in this investigation not only was the
number of infected birds reduced, but also a
significantly lower concentration of campylo-
bacter in the faeces of the infected animals
was measured (Maruta et al. 1996).
Further studies describe a lower pathogenic
contamination of broiler carcasses with salmo-
nella and clostridia (La Ragione
and Woodward 2003) or with
salmonella and campylobacter
(Fritts et al. 2000) by the use
of Bacillus subtilis.
As mentioned before not
only the compatibility with
other feed components like
organic acids, coccidiostats
and therapeutic antibiotics
but also the stability against
heat treatments during feed
production is crucially impor-
tant. Spore forming probiot-
ics like Bacillus subtilis exist
in an inactive stable form
and germinate only under
ideal conditions (Hongh et al.
2005). This advantage, com-
pared to non spore forming
probiotics is reflected in the
results of several investiga-
tions on the influence of heat
exposure and pelleting proc-
esses of temperatures up to
90°C and also under expan-
sion conditions up to 105°C
(Nollet 2005, Kampf and van der Aa 2010).
The compatibility of Bacillus subtilis C-3102
with coccidistatics, therapeutical antibiotics
and organic acids has also been proven in
scientific investigations (Enthoven and van
der Lee 2004).
Table 2: Zootechnical results of the use of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 in broilers and turkeys
(Gracia and Medel 2004, Gracia et al. 2007, EFSA 2010, Blair et al. 2004)
Trial no.
Number of animals
(replications per trial
group
x animals/pen)
Calsporin®
Bacillus subtilis
C-3102
(CFU/kg feed)
Body weight
at trial end
(kg)
Average daily
weight gain
(g/day)
Feed
conversion
(kg feed/
kg gain)
Broiler 1
(4 trials)
5524
(63 x 22-100)
0
5x108
2.599
2.640*
61.2
62.2*
1.90
1.85**
Broiler 2
(4 trials)
8208
(139 x 26-50)
0
10x108
2.372
2.436***
55.5
57.0***
1.82
1.77***
Turkeys 1#
600
(12 x 25)
0
3x108
6.498
6.732**
77.7
80.5**
2.06
2.05
Turkeys 2#
960
(32 x 15)
0
3x108
9.522
9.854**
112.6
116.6**
2.05
2.02**
Turkeys 3#
400
(8 x 25)
0
3x108
13.41
14.32**
105.9
113.2**
2.42
2.42
Significant differences between trial and control group *P<0.10; **P<0.05; ***P<0.001
# Trial 1 only female animals, trial 2 and 3 only male animals
Grain&feed millinG technoloGy July - august 2013 | 21
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FEATURE

5. Trial results for broiler and turkey
Of course the effectiveness of viable
spores in broilers and turkeys in feeding
practice has to be proven in scientific inves-
tigations. Furthermore, all probiotics need
be to registered according to the current
EU legislation, without use in general is
not possible. In order to obtain such a
registration for Bacillus subtilis C-3102, a
total of eight studies were carried out at
several research institutes involving tests on
13,732 broilers. The results of these studies
have been evaluated in two meta-analyses
(Gracia and Medel 2004, Gracia et al. 2007).
Furthermore three studies with 1960 turkeys
have been performed for the registration in
turkeys (EFSA 2010, Blair et al. 2004).
The zootechnical results of all studies are
presented in Table 2. The supplementation
of 10x108
CFU Bacillus subtilis C-3102/kg
feed improved growth (+ 2.7 %) and feed
conversion (- 2.7 %) significantly. By applying
5x108
CFU/kg feed a better daily weight
gain (+ 1.6 %) and improved feed conver-
sion (- 2.6 %) was obtained in broilers. In
both meta-analyses an increased EPEF-Value
(European Production Efficiency Factor) was
calculated (Gracia and Medel 2004, Gracia
et al. 2007).
The supplementation of 3x108
CFU/kg
feed caused a significantly higher daily weight
gain (in average + 4.6 %) in turkeys in com-
parison to the control group. Concerning
the feed conversion only one trial showed
a significant influence (- 1.5 %, table 3, EFSA
2010; Blair et al. 2004). Beside that in the
third trial a reduced ammonia concentration
in the faeces of only 7.8 ppm versus 25.2
ppm in the control group could be seen due
to the supplementation with Bacillus subtilis
C-3102 (- 69.0 %, Blair et al. 2004).
Practical experience
Probiotics also need to be tested con-
tinuously under practical conditions. Table
3 shows an overview of results obtained
from practical broiler trials with the product
Calsporin®
(Bacillus subtilis C-3102) col-
lected from 2008 to 2012. These results
are in good accordance with the results
from scientific studies. Very interesting to
highlight is trial 10 where Calsporin®
was
resulting in a significant reduced occur-
rence of necrotic enteritis (approximately
- 40%) corresponding with a significantly
lower amount of treatments (0.5 vs. 3.0 in
control) in this group. This can be seen as
evidence of a markedly improved intestinal
health through the use of Calsporin®
but
the fewer treatments can also be viewed
as the reason for not improved production
parameters in this experiment.
Concerning the economic consideration,
it should be mentioned that the costs for a
probiotic like Calsporin®
according to the
required dosage (3x108
CFU/kg feed for
turkeys, and 5x108
CFU/kg feed for broilers)
will be between €0.15-0.25 /100 kg feed.
When contrasting the extra costs with the
improvements in feed conversion (Table 2
and 3), the supplementation of Bacillus subti-
lis C-3102 results in an economic benefit in
feed costs of €0.75-0.90 /100 kg produced
meat.
Conclusions
The use of probiotics to support the
gut microflora and to maintain the health
of the animals has
been established
in feeding practice
in recent years.
Especially spore
forming probiot-
ics of the genus
Bacillus subtilis
have been referred
to because they
can be used
without issue in
combination with
organic acids,
coccidiostats and
therapeutic antibi-
otics, beside that
these products can
easily survive heat
treatments during
feed production
e.g. while pelleting.
Concerning
the use of spore
forming probiotics,
and in particular
the strain Bacillus
subtilis C-3102
(Calsporin®
),
numerous studies
exist describing the positive effects to
achieve an optimized gut flora with regard
to a reduction of pathogens in the gut and
also in the carcass. In numerous efficacy
studies with in total nearly 14,000 broil-
ers and 2,000 turkeys it has also been
proven, those viable spores of Bacillus sub-
tilis C-3102 in turkey as well as in broiler
feed have a positive effect on production
parameters especially daily weight gain
and feed conversion. The results of these
studies, together with widespread practical
trials, show the contribution of a stable
in feed probiotic for efficient turkey and
broiler production.
In conclusion, Bacillus subtilis C-3102
(Calsporin®
) can be used successfully in
broiler and turkey production. Its use
can help to maintain good gut health
and pathogenic bacteria can be reduced,
thereby reducing the incidence of disease
in the poultry themselves and potential
food poisoning episodes in humans after
the consumption of poultry meat.
Literature is available upon request from
the author.
More InforMatIon:
Dr Detlef Kampf
Orffa Additives B.V.
Vierlinghstraat 51
4251 LC Werkendam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 183 447771
Email: kampf@orffa.com
Website: www.orffa.com
Table 3: Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin®
) on feed conversion (corrected to 1,500 g live weight) and daily
gain (g/day) in broiler chicken under EU practical conditions (2008-2012)
Trial Run No. birds Country FCRc1500 Difference ADG Difference
Control Calsporin®
Control Control Calsporin®
1 90,200 NL 1.461 1.439 -1.5% 54.3 1.461 1.439
2 102,000 NL 1.410 1.368 -3.0% 56.8 1.410 1.368
3 50,000 NL 1.561 1.478 -5.3% 50.0 1.561 1.478
4 1 66,000 NL 1.413 1.379 -2.4% 56.0 1.413 1.379
4 2 66,000 NL 1.413 1.426 0.9% 56.0 1.413 1.426
5* 1,500,000 FR 1.660 1.641 -1.1% 49.2 1.660 1.641
6* 39,270 FR 1.666 1.634 -1.9% 51.0 1.666 1.634
7 33,000 UK 1.295 1.233 -4.8% 66.1 1.295 1.233
8 128 PO 1.238 1.222 -1.3% 60.2 1.238 1.222
9 1 175 GE 1.235 1.149 -7.0% 66.1 1.235 1.149
9 2 150 GE 1.193 1.180 -1.1% 64.0 1.193 1.180
10# 480,000 GE 1.263 1.289 2.1% 56.9 1.263 1.289
Average 2,426,923 1,401 1.401 1.370 -2.2% 57.2 1.401
* = in these trials Calsporin®
was tested in comparison to a positive control with essential oils
# = in this trial Calsporin®
was showing a significant reduction of necrotic enteritis corresponding with a significantly
lower amount of treatments in the Calsporin®
group
Grain&feed millinG technoloGy22 | July - august 2013
FEATURE

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July-August2013
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poultry health
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probiotics
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