Poultry producers could be missing out on significant health and performance benefits due to common misconceptions surrounding the use of probiotics in rations.
Sarah Turner from Elanco says the use of probiotics to create a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, also known as a robust intestinal microbiome, not only benefits performance, but also bird health and food safety.
“Probiotic products, such as Gallipro Fit, contain specifically selected strains of live bacteria which colonise the digestive tract and enhance the gut environment to support bird health and performance,” she said.
“Whether you’re a pullet producer, broiler producer, or a gamebird rearer, improvements to your birds’ intestinal microbiome are going to have a big impact.”
She said: “Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to bird health, and ensuring a robust intestinal microbiome will better equip birds to cope with, and bounce back from, challenges that come their way.
“Developing a robust microbiome in the first few days of life is crucial, as it equips birds to better handle challenges and maximise productivity benefits over time.”
Turner clarified five of the most common myths about poultry probiotics below:
Myth 1: probiotics are ineffective – When choosing a poultry probiotic producers should ensure that products backed by rigorous scientific research and proven efficacy through commercial trials. Novonesis, the producers of the poultry probiotic Gallipro Fit are global leaders in biosolutions, with their trusted bacterial cultures integral to the production of every second cheese globally.
Myth 2: probiotics work instantly – probiotics are not a silver bullet and while they begin forming beneficial biofilms rapidly, establishing a strong microbial balance in the gut requires consistent use. For optimal results, incorporate them from day one across production cycles. This approach ensures a gradual, yet powerful impact.
Myth 3: probiotics can replace antibiotics – probiotics form part of antibiotic reduction strategies, but they will never fully replace them. Antibiotics will continue to play an important role in treating sick birds. Probiotics help to reduce antibiotic usage by inhibiting the growth of undesirable bacterial species and, in turn, promoting Intestinal Integrity.
Myth 4: probiotics are only beneficial when there is a disease challenge – probiotics offer a wide range of benefits, regardless of whether a challenge is present in your flock. They work to create a robust intestinal microbiome which allows the birds to adapt to challenging conditions in order to maintain microbial balance and productivity. Trials involving Gallipro Fit, for example, have shown that the probiotic results performance benefits of up to 1% reduction in mortality, and a 58g boost in average bodyweight.
Myth 5: all probiotics are the same – in the same way no two birds or farms are the same, no two probiotics are the same. Different strains have different modes of action, such as inhibiting undesirable bacteria or enzyme production. Look for a probiotic which contains strains selected specifically for poultry with specific modes of action to support a reduction in undesirable bacteria, alongside beneficial enzyme production to improve the utilisation of feed.