Effect of probiotics on growth performance of Osmanabadi kids

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on the growth performance of Osmanabadi kids. Thirty Osmanabadi kids aged 6 weeks were maintained under a semi-intensive rearing system and divided into two treatment groups: control (T0) and probiotic-supplemented (T1), each comprising 15 kids, further divided into 3 replicates of 5 kids. The control group was fed milk without probiotics, while the T1 group received milk supplemented with 1.5 gm of probiotics per kid per day. Post-weaning (from 8 weeks), both groups received concentrate feed and ad libitum green fodder. The T1group continued receiving probiotics at increasing dosages: 2 gm/day (at 8th weeks age), 2.5 gm/day (at 10 th weeks age), and 3 gm/day (at 12-18 th weeks age).Significantly higher body weight gain (96% increase) was observed in the probiotic group from 6 to 14 weeks of age. Incidence of diarrhoea was lower in T1 (6%) compared to T0 (20%). A 13% higher economic gain was also noted at weaning in the T1 group. Supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus sporogenes was most beneficial during the pre-ruminant and weaning stages.