INTERVIEW 42 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2023 Gut health is an issue of special importance in livestock business, especially in poultry enterprises. Because it is the key to protecting and supporting the general health and performance of animals. In addition, feed is the most important input cost for an animal production business. The best reflection of this input on production, which we can call the feed conversion ratio (FCR), is also important for the profitability and sustainability of the enterprise. Aldo Rossi, VP Innovation and Technical Service and Reagan Culbertson, VP Strategic Marketing at Amlan International, answered questions about gut health, digestibility and feed conversion ratio in poultry. What does digestibility mean in poultry? What does digestibility have to do with gut health? A. Ability to breakdown and release nutrients from the feed and make the nutrients available for absorption into the body to fuel growth, health, immune function, performance, etc. B. A damaged or diseased intestine (i.e. unhealthy gut) will be limited in its ability to absorb nutrients – undigested food can pass through the intestine and provide no value to the growth, development, and health of the animal. In addition, due to the cellular damage of an unhealthy intestine, unwanted factors (toxins, microorganisms, etc.) may leak through the gut wall and move into the bloodstream infecting other parts of the body. On the other hand, a healthy gut will be more efficient in absorbing the nutrients that are formulated in the feed – nutrients that are needed for optimal performance and health. What is the feed conversion ratio and why is it important? What is the connection between diGUT HEALTH, DIGESTIBILITY AND FEED CONVERSION RATIO IN POULTRY “Gut health impacts digestibility and FCR. Optimal intestinal health and gut function are essential to efficient and profitable poultry production. Many challenges and stressors, such as necrotic enteritis and toxins, impact poultry performance leading to significant economic loss for producers. Our products help producers manage these challenges to maximize bird performance and help achieve their production goals.” Aldo Rossi VP Innovation and Technical Service Amlan International Reagan Culbertson VP Strategic Marketing Amlan International
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