The effects of mannanase-hydrolyzed copra meal (MCM) and MCM + probiotic Bacillus cereus var. toyoi (TY) on growth performance and gut morphometry of broiler chickens were investigated. A total of 1120-one-day-old Cobb chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design with 4 diet treatment groups. Dietary treatments were (1) negative control; (2) positive control (avilamycin 10 ppm); (3) 0.1% MCM for basal diets (4) 0.1% MCM + 0.05% TY. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR), body weight (BW), productivity index (PI) was obtained with 0.1% MCM + 0.05% TY at 42 days of age. With regard to productivity index, every supplementation group had a better rate when compared to that in negative group. Although 0.1% MCM supplemented alone is worse than positive group, it reveals a significantly better value than when it is combined with 0.1% MCM and 0.05% TY. The combination of mannanase-hydrolyzed copra meal with Bacillus cereus var. toyoi improved broiler performance and duodenum and jejunum mucous morphometry, when compared to the negative, positive and 0.1% MCM alone supplementation groups. The combination of MCM and TY probiotics is capable of improving intestinal morphology by behaving like a good growth promoter, with possibility of being an alternative to antibiotics.
avilamycin; mannanase-hydrolyzed copra meal; prebiotics; probiotics
