The present invention provides method for improving the health of poultry birds using a consortium comprised of Lactobacillus strain MCM B-824, Lactobacillus strain MCM B-825 and Lactobacillus strain MCM B-826. The said consortium, when administered orally, improves the poultry health by increasing the feed conversion ratio. weight gain and by decreasing the mortality rate. The present invention relates to the consortium capable of adhering to intestinal epithelial cells and resistant to antibiotics such as bacitracin, enrofloxacin, monensin etc and modulating the immune system of poultry birds by activating the release of cytokines such as TGF-( β4, IFN-y and IL-10, which contribute to the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Provided herein are methods for assessing the probiotic potential of lactobacilli. in particular tolerance during gastric transit, adhesion assays, antagonistic activity against clinical pathogens and immuno-modulating effects. Also disclosed is a method for orally administering the probiotic consortium via drinking water. Also disclosed herein are the beneficial effects of orally fed consortium on the poultry host determined during animal trials.
