Exploring the impact of probiotics on the growth and health of poultry

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The poultry industry plays a crucial role in providing a sustainable source of high-quality protein for human consumption. However, challenges such as disease outbreaks, suboptimal growth rates, and the need for reducing the use of antibiotics have prompted researchers to explore alternative strategies to enhance the growth and health of poultry. Probiotics, defined as live microorganisms that confer health benefits when administered in adequate amounts, have gained significant attention as potential feed additives in poultry production. This thesis aims to investigate the impact of probiotics on the growth and health of poultry, focusing on their potential benefits in enhancing growth performance, modulating gut microbiota, and improving immune responses in poultry species. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the study, presenting the background, problem statement, objectives, limitations, scope, significance, structure of the thesis, and definition of key terms. Chapter 2 comprises a comprehensive literature review that examines previous studies on probiotics in poultry, highlighting their effects on growth performance, gut health, immune function, and disease resistance. Chapter 3 details the research methodology, including the experimental design, sample collection, probiotic administration protocols, data analysis methods, and statistical approaches utilized in the study. The findings discussed in Chapter 4 reveal the impact of probiotics on the growth and health parameters of poultry, including body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, gut microbiota composition, immune-related gene expression, and disease resistance. The results indicate that probiotic supplementation positively influences the growth performance and health status of poultry, potentially serving as a sustainable alternative to antibiotics in poultry production systems. In the concluding Chapter 5, a summary of the key findings is provided, along with implications for the poultry industry and recommendations for future research directions. Overall, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the use of probiotics as a promising dietary intervention to promote the growth and health of poultry, highlighting the importance of sustainable and effective strategies in poultry production systems.