Effects of supplementing Bacillus MK04 in litter on growth performance, footpad dermatitis, carcass traits, and intestinal health in broilers

Résumé fourni par la source

This study addresses a common challenge in intensive high-density broiler farming: excessive litter moisture, which leads to a high incidence of footpad dermatitis (FPD), impaired intestinal health, reduced growth efficiency, and significant economic losses from chicken by-products. Traditional methods such as litter drying and chemical disinfection increase production costs and pose potential environmental risks. In this study, we innovatively applied a beneficial bacterium, Bacillus MK04 strain, directly to the bedding litter rather than incorporating it into the daily feed, and investigated its effects on litter quality, broiler growth performance, foot health, and intestinal microecology. Broilers raised on treated litter exhibited faster weight gain and higher final body weight, along with lower mortality. Notably, the treatment showed no immediate effect on footpad health at day 20; however, by days 30 and 40, broilers in the treatment group had significantly lower FPD scores. This improvement appeared to be driven by drier litter conditions and beneficial shifts in gut health, including deeper intestinal villi and a more favorable gut microbiota composition, characterized by an increase in beneficial bacteria. Overall, these findings suggest that adding Bacillus MK04 to litter is a practical, non-antibiotic strategy to simultaneously enhance broiler growth performance and welfare, primarily by maintaining drier litter and supporting a healthier digestive system. This research offers a low-cost, green, and efficient litter management solution for commercial broiler farms and provides new theoretical support for the application of litter-based probiotic additives in poultry production.

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