TDK conference 2018

Nowadays, antibiotic resistance is one of the most relevant questions in human and animal health. The AGPs (antibiotic growth promoters) have a significant role in the spreading of this issue. Fighting against these resistant bacteria, alternative growth promoters are coming into view.

In this study fermented wheat-germ extract was tested as a growth promoter in broiler chickens. Our research also investigated the possible protective effects if this substance against artificial Salmonella infection in chickens.

During the experiment the weight gain, feed consumption, and the feed conversion ratio in 200 broiler chickens were investigated. We divided the birds into 3 groups infected by Salmonella Typhimurium and 3 non-infected groups. From the non-infected groups Group „A” was supplied with 1%, Group „B” with 2% of fermented wheat-germ extract in the feed. In addition, an untreated control group was installed. In the infected groups, group „C” had 1%, group „D” had 2% fermented wheat-germ extract in the feed, and, we also set up an infected control group.

Based on weight mesaurements performed every two days, in group”B”, the body-weight showed a significant difference to control. Examining the feed-consumption, group with 1% fermented wheat-germ extract in the feed consumed significantly less feed. Both supplemented groups reached better feed conversion ratio.

In the infected groups, there was no significant difference neither in the weight gain, nor in the feed consumption, compared to control. Both the 1% and 2% supplementation decreased the number of the cross-infections, compared to control group.

The fermented wheat-germ extract supplement could be a benefit in broiler farming, by improving the weight-gain, and feed conversion. There role in decreasing Salmonella cross-infections should be further investigated, however, this feed supplemement could be remarkable in the reduction of antibiotic usage in poultry farming. This research was supported by EFOP 3.6.1 and EFOP 3.6.2.