ISSUE FOCUS 22 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2023 “Antibiotics are used in poultry production, mainly to improve gut health and performance. However, owing to growing concerns about the use of medically important antibiotics in livestock production and the associated challenges, poultry producers need effective holistic approaches including – management and nutrition – to support antibiotic stewardship. Currently, several dietary measures are taken to promote animal health in poultry production. Among these, an emerging group being included in holistic approaches that shows promise in improving gut health and host defense is postbiotics.” Poultry production plays a paramount role in ensuring food security for the current global population. Amidst the forecasted growth and potential shifts in demographics of global human population, the industry needs to produce more utilizing limited resources, without becoming over depending on antibiotics/chemicals to meet consumer needs. To achieve this goal, live production needs to be optimized with respect to animal performance, nutrition, and management to get the maximum use of resources without wastage. Nutrition/feed accounts for about 70% of poultry production costs. Because the animal gut is the primary organ which utilizes feed, it’s no wonder why gut health has been a major focus for the poultry industry over the past few decades. The future of the poultry industry depends largely on applying scientific knowledge and modern tools to support gut health and effective utilization of nutrients for sustainable production. IMPORTANCE OF GUT HEALTH A healthy gut is vital for the proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. In addition, the gut is critical for the animal to survive the stressors to which the body is exposed to throughout the gastrointestinal tract, and in maintaining homeostasis. Developmental stages and immune status of the bird, the quality of feed ingredients, changes in feeding phases, environmental stressors, management, and pathogens are some of the things that can disrupt homeostasis and affect gut health (Figure 1). Maintaining the integrity of gut tissue, nourishing a healthy microbiome, along with supporting an effective immune system are the main components to a healthy gut. From an animal production perspective, gut health is closely related to animal performance, welfare, and food safety. Antibiotics are used in poultry production, mainly to improve gut health and performance. However, owing to growing concerns about the use of medically important antibiotics in livestock production and the associated challenges, poultry producers need effective holistic approaches including – management and nutrition – to support antibiotic stewTHE ROLE OF POSTBIOTICS IN PROMOTING GUT HEALTH IN POULTRY Vivek Kuttappan, DVM/PhD Poultry Technology Lead – Postbiotics Cargill
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