UTILITY OF EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS EM® IN AN AVIAN FARM OF CORDOBA: PRODUCTIVES PARAMETERS AND ENVIROMENTAL CONTROL

Objective. To evaluate the efficiency of effective microorganisms (EM®), in environmental management and on production and economic parameters of broiler chickens. Materials and methods. A study of type assignment randomized controlled trial to evaluate two treatments in two batches of chickens with six replicates for each sex in each treatment, for a total of 24 experimental units observed for 35 days. We used EM® containing lactic acid bacteria and yeasts (Lactobacillus cassei 10?CFU/ml, Sacharomyces cerevisiae 10?CFU/ml, Rodhopseudomonas palustris (10?CFU/ml), photosynthetic, fungi and actinomycetes fermenters, (a mixture of beneficial bacteria) at concentrations greater than 100,000 CFU/ml of solution. We evaluated production parameters including weight gain, feed conversion, cumulative mortality, economic performance and utility of EM® in reducing the burden of total coliforms present in the bedding of chickens. Results. After five weeks of study the EM® significantly improved production parameters (weight gain, conversion rate, mortality) in male birds. Female birds did not significantly respond to treatment with respect to weight gain or feed conversion rate but their mortality rate was significantly lower. The los EM® reduced the burden of total coliforms present in the environment of broiler chickens. The cost-benefit ratio of the EM® treatment generated a lower production cost and greater economic value. Conclusions. For the first time in Colombia, we demonstrated the utility of EM® in weight gain, improved feed conversion rate, reduction of mortality, and improvements in the environmental condition of male birds under technical handling. The economic analysis of EM® use showed lower production costs and an improvement of profits of 8.3%.