Effects of Effective Microorganisms on Growth Performances, Ammonia Reduction, Hematological Changes and Shedding of Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter spp. in Broilers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of effective microorganisms (EM) product on ammonia reduction, growth performances, Salmonella and Campylobacter reduction and hematological changes in broilers. Five hundred and ninety four day-old female Arbor Acres were divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates in each group. Group 1 was the control group, while groups 2 and 3 received EM product in forms of daily spraying at 1:50 EM solution/m2 on litter and in drinking water at 1:800 dilution, respectively. Ammonia concentrations were measured weekly, while blood samples were collected at 21 and 42 days of age for hematological evaluation. Growth performances were determined at the end of the trial. In addition, fecal samples were collected weekly and cultured for Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter. It was found that the ammonia concentrations were significantly decreased (p<0.05) between the EM spraying group and the control group at 42 days of age. No significant differences in the growth performances and most of the hematological parameters were found at the end of the trial. However, stress indicator determined by heterophil and lymphocyte (H/L) ratio was significantly decreased (p<0.05) by the end of the trial in the EM spraying group. Although the EM product tended to have a beneficial effect in reducing ammonia in poultry houses and broilers’ stress, the effect of this product on the reduction of Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter spp. at the farm level was not clearly noticed.