STORRS, Conn. — Researchers at UConn’s Department of Animal Science are conducting research on probiotic supplements in poultry and developed a short survey to gauge the interest of poultry producers and processors in the Northeast on the research.
The study evaluates the effect of in-ovo and in-feed probiotic supplementation on layer health, growth and performance. Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou has been working on this project for the last couple of years and has some promising results. Briefly, early supplementation of probiotics to layer embryos and pullets resulted in:
– Improved embryonic growth
–Â Improved Hatchability (no change is time of hatch)
–Â Improved Feed efficiency
–Â Stronger bones
However, this initial study was only done up to 6 weeks of age. Â As part of the next phase of the research project she is interested in looking at layer growth and performance up until 70 weeks. This would help assess the effect of probiotic supplementation on egg production as well as layer health.
Please fill out this brief, 3-minute survey with your interest in the research:Â http://s.uconn.edu/4b8
–UConn Extension
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