An Introduction to Poultry Probiotics: Unleashing the Health Benefits for Your Flock

The increasing AMR (antimicrobial resistance) ban on antibiotic use in many countries is increasing the interest of poultry producers to search for alternatives to antibiotics in poultry for disease prevention and production enhancement. From many options, probiotics emerged as one of the most reliable alternatives to antibiotic replacement in the poultry industry. The most important advantage of using probiotics in poultry compared to antibiotics is that they leave no residue in poultry meat and eggs.

What are poultry probiotics?

Probiotics have been defined in several ways. In a modern way, it is defined as “living microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. These microorganisms mainly consist of bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, and yeasts. They are similar to the beneficial bacteria found in the gut of poultry, playing a crucial role in maintaining a healthy intestinal microbiota. Currently, single-strain and multi-strain commercial probiotic preparations are available for improving poultry health with probiotics.

These are some of the most popular probiotics used in industry nowadays:

How do poultry probiotics work?

Probiotics in poultry work by colonising the guts of birds and competing with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients and space. By doing so, they help maintain a balanced gut microbiota, preventing the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics also produce beneficial compounds, such as short-chain fatty acids, which create an environment that is conducive to the growth and development of beneficial bacteria.

Additionally, poultry probiotics have been shown to enhance the immune response of birds. They stimulate the production of antibodies, enhance the activity of immune cells, and modulate the inflammatory response. This immune-boosting effect can help poultry better resist infections and diseases, leading to improved overall health and performance. Alongside with probiotics you can also use natural supplements to support poultry health.

How do probiotics benefit poultry?

• Improved Nutrient Digestibility and Utilisation: Poultry probiotics aid in better feed conversion efficiency by improving the digestibility and utilisation of nutrients. Improved gut health positively influences the growth and performance of broiler, layer, and breeder birds.
• Alleviation of Digestive Disorders: Probiotics can help alleviate digestive issues like diarrhoea and intestinal inflammation, which can otherwise significantly affect the health and productivity of your birds.
• Enhanced Production of Beneficial Enzymes: They enhance the production of beneficial enzymes like amylase and protease, which assist in the digestion of complex carbohydrates and proteins. This leads to better nutrient absorption and overall performance in your birds.
• Disease prevention: Probiotics have been found to competitively inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli in poultry production.

How do I select a good probiotic?

There are several criteria that can give us an idea about selecting the right probiotic for our birds:

• It should be bile-resistant.
• Possess a high ability to multiply in the gut
• Should not have any negative effect on the host.
• Should have strong adhesive capability with the digestive tract of the host.
• Be durable enough to withstand feed manufacturing processes, i.e., pelleting.
• Should have the ability to reduce the pathogenic microorganisms.
• Select the specific strains for maximum benefits.

Conclusion:

Probiotics benefits are being widely used in the poultry industry to prevent GI tract disorders and improve digestibility and performance. To ensure the best results, it’s important to choose a high-quality product that includes specific strains of probiotics, is stable, and has a proven mode of action. At Glamac, we provide premium probiotic solutions for poultry birds with our products Closbo & Closbo WSP. These contain unique probiotic strains that work effectively in both the foregut and hind gut. This makes them the best in the industry.