ENVIRONMENT, WELL-BEING, AND BEHAVIOR
Investigating the Effects of Dietary Probiotic Feeding Regimens on Broiler
Chicken Production and Campylobacter jejuni Presence1
The microbial populations in the gastrointestinal tracts
of poultry play a key role in normal digestive processes
and in maintaining the animal’s health. Changes in diet
can substantially affect these bacteria and their healthpromoting
effects. Dietary changes, however, are often
desirable to improve product outcomes such as weight,
flavor, and body part proportions. Consequently, to
counter reducing effects resulting from dietary change,
means for preserving and promoting essential microbial
populations in the gut are needed. One promising approach
is to use probiotic feed supplements.