The effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Streptococcus faecium bacteria
on selected blood and meat indicators of broiler chickens was determined. T
he studies were carried out on 1200 Hybro G chickens reared on litter until
49 days of age. The chickens received the probiotic (250 mg/kg) for either
the whole rearing period (group I), from days 1 to 21 of age (group II), o
r from days 22 to 49 of age (group III). There were no significant differen
ces in body weight or feed conversion among the groups. At 49 days of age,
the chickens given the probiotic up to 21 days of age had significantly low
er plasma protein, total cholesterol and HDL levels and significantly highe
r water binding capacity of white white meat compared with the other groups
. The meat of chickens given the probiotic for the whole period of rearing
had a significantly higher protein content, while their crude fat and total
cholesterol contents tended to decrease.