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Poultry gut health
The efficient conversion of feed into its basic components for optimal nutrient absorption is vital for both broiler and broiler breeder production and welfare. Gut health, an intricate and complex area combining nutrition, microbiology, immunology and physiology, has a key role to play. When gut health is compromised, digestion and nutrient absorption are affected which, in turn, can have a detrimental effect on feed conversion leading to economic loss and a greater susceptibility to disease. In addition, recent changes in legislation on the use of antimicrobials, differing feed requirements and more efficient birds highlight the need for a better understanding of gut function and gut health.
1. Introduction The gastrointestinal tract is a dynamic and complex environment that requires a correlation between the gut microbiota and the host for good functionality [1–3]. The composition of the gut microbiota changes throughout the life of the animal or due to various factors like the environment, behavior, and diets [4]. Studies indicate a strong correlation between intestinal diseases and the constitution of the microbiota [1,2]. A healthy gut is an essential...
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I. INTRODUCTION Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a major intestinal disease in commercial poultry. It affects ~40% of broiler flocks and costs the industry through increased mortalities and reduced growth performances. The causative agent is Clostridium perfringens (CP) a Gram-positive member of the normal intestinal microbiota of poultry. A disturbance in the intestinal microbiome or a change in the behaviour of CP can result in the development of NE. CP can produce > 18 different...
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January 25, 2027
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I. INTRODUCTION In the last century, human ingenuity led to the identification and then exploitation of antimicrobial agents. Their use has had huge impacts by helping in the control of bacterial diseases, improving health, and enhancing productivity in agriculture. Unfortunately, this monumental success has eroded over time, with exposure of the microbiome to antimicrobials having selected for survivors that are inherently resistant or that have developed or acquired mechanisms to...
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I. INTRODUCTION The emergence of zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance, and more recently pandemics, has led to a rapid escalation of society demands regarding animal production and consumption. In addition to conventional practices like the genetic selection and vaccination strategies, numerous emerging solutions such as the supplementation of probiotics or short chain fatty acids in animal feed are being pursued to enhance animal health and resilience to disease. The glyceride of...
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Elizabeth Santin (Independent Consultant) comments on the different causes of oxidative stress, the impact on immunity, and the antioxidants that can be administered, in this Engormix interview....
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Numerous liver diseases originate from prior alterations in the intestinal barrier and the gut microbiota. The gut-liver axis has an anatomical and immunological connection that makes the liver the first organ exposed to everything that crosses the intestinal barrier. The intestinal mucosa constitutes the body's most important biological barrier. In addition to absorbing nutrients, it acts as a defense structure capable of preventing the passage of microorganisms, endotoxins,...
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FIGAP 2026: The Scientific And Technological Exhibition Of The Livestock Industry
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Introduction The poultry industry plays a vital role in global food security, providing an affordable and efficient source of animal protein (Castro et al., 2023). However, maintaining flock health and productivity remains a major challenge, with intestinal health playing a central role in poultry performance (Korver, 2023). With the rise of antibiotic resistance across the globe, the potential restriction of in-feed antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in animal food production could...
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Nutritional factors of gut inflammation (D. Korver) The intestinal tract is one of the largest, if not the largest, surface areas exposed to the environment of humans and poultry (Ferrer et al., 2003; Helander and Fandriks, 2014). Although the digestive tract is contained within the body, the lumen is actually outside of the bird. Therefore, although the function of the intestinal tract is usually thought of as being the uptake of nutrients, it has another important function:...
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INTRODUCTION There is an increasing demand for animal-based protein to meet the nutritional needs of the ever-increasing global population. The protein obtained from broiler meat is one of the most promising animal-sourced proteins, considering its quality and affordability. To contribute to the supply of animal-based protein, fastgrowing broiler strains have been developed for higher muscle yield in a short period. However, broiler’s faster growth in a limited time results in...
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INTRODUCTION Reducing the production cost of quality meat and eggs for the ever-growing world population is a prime target of the poultry industry. Conventional feed ingredients like corn and soybean meal are widely used in broiler feeding programs, which increase the competition among food and feed and lead to raise production costs (Donohue and Cunningham, 2009; Stefanello et al., 2016). Several strategies were attempted to minimize the cost per unit production, such as...
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INTRODUCTION The world’s population is growing exponentially, causing a rise in demand for animal-based protein. To meet the meat demand, broiler chickens have been genetically selected for higher feed efficiency and high muscle yield. As a result, these broiler chickens produce a high amount of metabolic body heat and are highly susceptible to heat stress (HS), especially during the summer. Moreover, chickens lack sweat glands and have feather covers, which make them extremely...
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NOREL participated in the Poultry Research Days (JRA) in France, represented by its Area Sales Manager for France, Germany, and Belgium, Marie Cadieu. This French scientific congress was held over two days, on March 18 and 19, 2026, in the city of Tours. The event is organized every two years...
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Stella Molck, Scientist Microbiology RD&I at Evonik, discusses the importance of outgrowth speed in spore-forming probiotics and how it influences gut colonization, microbial balance, and overall effectiveness in animal nutrition. ...
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Dr. Stella Molck, Scientist Microbiology RD&I at Evonik, explains how dynamic in vitro intestinal simulation tools provide deeper insights than traditional poultry gut health studies, helping researchers better understand gut function, feed additive performance, and microbiome interactions. ...
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Author details: 1 Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Veterinary Medicine Graduate Program, Master in Animal Health and Reproduction, Santa Maria, Brazil; 2 Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Department of Animal Science, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; 3 Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Center for Rural Sciences, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Diagnosis of Avian Pathologies, Santa Maria, Brazil; 4 Santa Catarina State...
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Introduction Between 15 and 20 weeks of age, layer pullets undergo rapid physiological changes, including reproductive tract maturation, ovarian follicles development, increased calcium intake for medullary bone formation, and metabolic and hormonal adjustments to support daily egg production (Xin et al., 2022; Bahry et al., 2023; Noetzold and Zuidhof, 2025). These developmental events impose higher nutritional and immunometabolic demands. Consequently, pullets entering lay are...
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There has been an observed increase in the presence of agricultural chemicals in drinking water (1). However, the health risks associated with chronic exposure remain poorly understood (2). Most risk assessments rely on single-chemical studies, despite evidence that mixtures exert synergistic or compensatory effects on host physiology and microbial function. Xenobiotics, including pesticides and emerging contaminants such as microplastics (MPs), enter livestock and humans primarily...
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INTRODUCTION
For many years, broiler intestinal health was supported by the widespread use of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs). These AGPs are antibiotic substances that were added to the feed at subtherapeutic levels, leading to improved animal performance. In the European Union, the use of AGPs was banned in 2006 while the Center for Veterinary Medicine of the US Food and Drug.
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The global poultry industry is undergoing a major transformation driven by increasing demand for sustainable production practices, reduced antibiotic usage, and improved feed efficiency. Modern poultry producers are under constant pressure to maintain bird performance while minimizing environmental impact and production costs. In this evolving landscape, sustainable feed additives have emerged as an effective solution for improving poultry gut health, nutrient utilization, and overall...
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