Effects of Postbiotic and Egg Yolk Powder Supplementation on the
Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Profile, Antioxidant Capacity
and Gut Histomorphology of Broilers
Waqas M1,2, *, Salman M1 and Nastoh Ahmad A1
1Department
of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkiye; 2Department
of Poultry Production, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,
Lahore, Pakistan;
This study explored the advantageous effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum-based
postbiotic and egg yolk powder on performance parameters, serum biochemical
profile, antioxidant/ oxidant capacity, and gut histomorphology of boiler
chickens. A total of 320 day-old Ross-308 unsexed broiler chicks were randomly
allotted to four experimental groups, and each group was replicated four times
with 20 birds per replicate. The control group was fed a basal diet. The
postbiotic (PB), egg yolk powder (EYP), and PB + EYP groups received the
following supplements in addition to their basal diet: 0.3% PB, 3.5% EYP, and
0.3% PB + 3.5% EYP, respectively. Feed intake, except in weeks three and four,
was non-significant among the experimental groups.
Significantly higher body weight of the birds throughout the experiment, and
higher body weight gain for the first three weeks, were recorded in the
treatment groups compared to the control group. Treatment groups had a
significant effect on European production efficiency factor (EPEF) performance
index (PI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Treatment groups had a lowering
(P<0.05) effect on triglycerides.
The total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in the treatment groups.
With respect to gut histomorphology, significantly better villus height and
crypt depth of small intestine segment, with a notably higher VH: CD ratio in
the ileum, were observed in the PB+EYP group. The results of the present study
demonstrate that supplementing broiler chickens with postbiotic and egg yolk
powder alone or in combination can improve the performance, triglycerides, total
antioxidant capacity, and intestinal histomorphology.
To Cite This Article:
Waqas M, Salman M and Ahmad NA,
2026.
Effects of postbiotic and egg yolk powder supplementation on the growth
performance, serum biochemical profile, antioxidant capacity and gut
histomorphology of broilers.
Pak Vet J. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2026.015