Phages, which are often used therapeutically, have begun to receive interest as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) for enhancing chicken growth. Another option that has been extensively studied as a growth promoter in chickens is probiotics. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no study available on the use of phages and probiotics in combination as potential feed additives for broiler chickens. Therefore, this study demonstrated the effects of a phage cocktail, probiotics, and their combination on the growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 288 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were randomly allotted to one of six treatments in a completely randomised design. The treatments were (i) C (basal diet (BD) only), (ii) 1ϕ (BD + 0.1% phage cocktail), (iii) 2ϕ (BD + 0.2% phage cocktail), (iv) P (BD + 0.1% probiotic), (v) 1ϕP (BD + 0.1% phage cocktail + 0.1% probiotic), and (vi) 2ϕP (BD + 0.2% phage cocktail + 0.1% probiotic). The 1ϕP treatment had significantly (p < 0.05) better BW (35 days), BWG (22–35 days, 1–35 days), and FCR (1–21 days, 22–35 days, 1–35 days) compared to C. Unique gut microbiota diversity was also found between the ϕP (1ϕP and 2ϕP) and non-ϕP groups (C, 1ϕ, 2ϕ, and P) in ilea, particularly in the 35-day-old chickens. Microorganisms associated with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers were significantly (p < 0.05) more present in the ϕP group than in the non-ϕP group. The predicted genes related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism were significantly upregulated in ϕP groups compared to non-ϕP groups. These genes were involved in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as the production of energy. Our findings showed that the 1ϕP treatment could be a potential alternative to AGPs for poultry, as growth performance was enhanced, and gut microbiota was positively modulated.

The gut microbiota plays an important role in the maintenance of health in chickens. Several studies have documented that healthy gut boosts the host’s growth performance and immune health (Stanley...

This review examines bacteriophages as�alternatives to�antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in�broiler chickens, with a�unique focus on�effects observed in�studies without experimental bacterial challenges. Driven by�global antimicrobial resista...

The Malaysian poultry industry, a significant contributor to the agricultural sector and national GDP, is increasingly challenged by antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, particularly from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The widespread use of antibiotics in poultry farming has driven the emergence of resistant strains, highlighting the need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. This study evaluated the characteristics and therapeutic potential of bacteriophage vB_SenS_ST10 as a biological control agent against Salmonella infections in poultry. Host range analysis revealed that vB_SenS_ST10 exhibited a narrow host range, effectively infecting only three of the thirty-two bacterial isolates tested: S. Typhimurium 8720/06, S. enterica (SCC), and S. Tennessee. Efficiency of plating (EOP) analysis indicated reduced binding efficiency for S. enterica (SCC) with an EOP value of 1.5 x 10⁻² relative to the reference strain. Biofilm inhibition assays demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) biofilm suppression at phage concentrations above 10⁴ PFU/mL, though a plateau was observed at higher levels, and complete biofilm eradication was not significantly achieved even at 10⁹ PFU/mL. Importantly, vB_SenS_ST10 did not affect beneficial gut bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, supporting its potential for targeted antimicrobial application without disrupting gut microbiota. The selective nature of vB_SenS_ST10, combined with its ability to inhibit biofilm formation, presents a promising approach to mitigate Salmonella-associated contamination in poultry production. However, further research is necessary to optimise its application and investigate mechanisms underlying biofilm resilience in poultry production systems.