Hamcho (Salicornia herbacea) with probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics for broiler production.

A study was conducted with 140 "Ross" 1-day old broilers having four treatments to know the potentiality of Salicornia herbacea (Hamcho) probiotics (SHP) and suitable level in replacing antibiotic. The groups were control (basal diet), antibiotic (basal diet + 0.05% OTC) and SHP 0.5% and 1.0% with basal diet. The birds were arranged in a completely randomized design having 5 replications with 7 chicks per replication in wire cage. Recorded data were analyzed by SAS package program. Addition of feed additives in the diet did not show any adverse effect on growth, feed intake and FCR (feed: gain) in broilers. Addition of SHP has significant effect on increase of crude protein in meat compared to control as well as antibiotic (p < 0.05). S. herbacea probiotics showed significantly lower fat content in carcass like the antibiotic than control (p < 0.05). The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value of meat in 0.5% SHP group showed significantly lower value compared to control (p < 0.05) at fresh and first weeks of preservation although statistically similar with antibiotic for both the levels of SHP up to 3 weeks of preservation. Development of internal organs has no adverse effect among the groups, moreover reducing and positive trend in cecum and large intestine weight after addition of SHP. Considering the findings, 0.5 to 1.0% S. herbacea probiotics can be replaceable to antibiotic for broiler production.   Key words: Salicornia herbacea probiotics, oxytetracycline (OTC), crude protein, TBA value, fatty acids profile, broiler meat.