Evaluation of a Precision Biotic on the Growth Performance, Welfare Indicators, Ammonia Output, and Litter Quality of Broiler Chickens

SIMPLE SUMMARY: A novel precision biotic was tested to evaluate its impact on growth performance, welfare and ammonia output and litter quality in broiler chickens. The supplementation improved broiler performance, which was found to be at least partially related to reductions in footpad lesions. These improvements appeared to be mediated through improvements in the litter quality, reductions in litter pH, and reductions in ammonia concentrations in litter. ABSTRACT: A dietary glycan-based precision biotic (Glycan PB) was evaluated on the performance, welfare indicators, and litter characteristics of broiler chickens. In Trial 1, the main effects of Glycan PB dose (0, 250 and 500 g/metric ton (MT)) and xylanase supplementation (0 or 100 g/MT) were tested, as was their interaction. In Trial 2, pens located inside a commercial house were used to test the effect of Glycan PB supplementation (500 g/MT) versus a control diet. In Trial 1, Glycan PB supplementation at 250 and 500 g/MT improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) by 7 and 11 points when compared to diets without Glycan PB (p < 0.001). At 35 d, Glycan PB reduced the pH and ammonia concentration in diets with xylanase. In Trial 1, the supplementation with 500 g of Glycan PB/MT of feed reduced litter scores (p < 0.05). In both trials, 500 g of Glycan PB/MT of feed increased the proportions of birds without footpad lesions (Trial 1: 72.2% vs. 82.7%; p < 0.001; Trial 2: 14 to 27.3% (p = 0.05) or gait defects (Trial 1: 96.1% vs. 98.4%; p < 0.001) and decreased the proportion of birds with footpad lesions (Trial 2: 86% vs. 72.7%; p = 0.05).