The effects of dietary Lactobacillus fermentum and Bacillus coagulans supplementation on the ileal and cecal microbiota of broilers challenged by Clostridium perfringens

The broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four groups. Birds in the control group were fed basal diet and unchallenged by Clostridium perfringens. Birds infected with Clostridium perfringens were considered as positive control. Challenged birds in probiotic groups were fed basal diets supplemented with Lactobacillus fermentum and Bacillus coagulans, respectively. Challenged birds were orally gavaged with Clostridium perfringens once per day from days 14 to 20.On days 21 and 28, digesta from ileum and cecum was collected for DNA extraction and microbiota analysis