Sustainable success in today’s poultry production means balancing profitability with environmental stewardship, animal welfare and social responsibility. Given the rising demand for poultry as a source of protein, producers are increasingly focusing on creating systems that are efficient, minimising negative impacts on the planet and human health while ensuring high product quality and animal care standards.
To achieve sustainable success, broiler producers must embrace a holistic approach involving appropriate farm management, upgraded biosecurity measures and effective nutritional strategies that will ultimately influence the health of the gut microbiome. As highlighted by Kraimi et al. in 2019, good gut health powered by a robust microbiome can support a healthy normal digestion, immunity and therefore productivity. A healthy gut will also condition the behaviour and well-being of poultry. Better animal welfare will translate into better performance and higher profits for poultry operations.
A robust gut microbiome is essential for the normal physiological functions of broilers, influencing nutrient absorption, resistance to potentially harmful microorganisms and modulation of the immune system. The robustness of the microbiome is defined as the ability of the intestinal microbiome to adapt to changing conditions such as stress, infection, antibiotics use and diet composition in order to maintain microbial balance and productivity.
Modes of probiotic action
Probiotics, particularly those containing Bacillus species, are utilized to support the robustness of the microbiome. These interventions are designed to maintain the normal functions of the gastrointestinal system and support the overall well-being of broilers. Probiotics support gut health through several mechanisms:
Biofilm formation: Probiotics bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis contribute to the formation of biofilms on the microvilli of the intestinal tract and ceca. This supports the integrity and maintenance of intestinal barriers, digestion of nutrients from feed and competitive exclusion of potentially harmful organisms.
Nutrient competition and antimicrobial production: By competing with potentially harmful microbes for nutrients and producing antimicrobial substances, probiotics support a normal gastrointestinal environment.
Immune system support: Probiotics are involved in supporting normal immune responses by promoting the activity of immune cells and the production of antibodies which play a crucial role in the body’s defense mechanisms against infections.
Gut health influences behaviour and productivity
Case studies from a variety of geographic locations have consistently indicated that the use of probiotics supports normal health conditions in flocks, contributes to the normal functionality of the gastrointestinal tract and supports the birds’ natural immune responses, thus not only reducing the need for interventions such as antibiotics but also improving animal welfare.
Today, there is irrefutable evidence that the microbiome can effectively communicate with the brain of its host through at least 3 channels involving nervous, endocrine and immune signalling mechanisms. Likewise, the brain can impact the community structure and function of the gut microbiome.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the key to signalling from the microbiome to the brain. SCFAs are the main metabolites produced by the gut microbiome through the fermentation of dietary fibres and starches. Following their production, SCFAs are absorbed by cells that line the intestines via specialised transporter molecules. Interaction of SCFAs with their receptors promotes the secretion of gut neurotransmitters such as serotonin (5-HT): the happiness hormone 95% of which is produced in the intestine.
According to Novonesis investigations, birds fed with an effective probiotic can deliver superior performance as well as better well-being, which is substantiated by improved feed efficiency and increased circulating serotonin (’happiness’ hormone) levels, regardless of the conditions in which the birds are raised (standard, heat stress or other challenges).
Probiotics support broiler health and welfare
The use of probiotics in poultry feeds is a proactive approach to sustainably supporting the health of broilers by maintaining a robust gut microbiome. This practice is intended to support the normal health and functionality of the gastrointestinal system and immune responses, contributing to the overall well-being and normal health status of poultry populations. Future research will continue to explore how these beneficial bacteria support these functions under varying farm conditions, aiming to tailor probiotic applications to further enhance their efficacy.
Source: Email/GFMM
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