ISSUE FOCUS 56 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2024 compromise intestinal health, making birds more liable to develop NE as well. Diagnosing NE can be challenging for producers, as birds affected by the disease may demonstrate nonspecific symptoms such as ruffled feathers, diarrhea and decreased appetite. The disease often progresses quickly, with early mortality frequently related to concurrent coccidiosis. Diagnosis typically involves post-mortem examination, revealing characteristic lesions in the small intestine. The rapid onset of NE highlights the critical importance of proactive management strategies to maintain intestinal health. BENEFITS OF A STRONG INTESTINAL INTEGRITY PROGRAM A tailored intestinal integrity program offers several benefits crucial to poultry flocks' health, productivity, and overall performance. One of the primary advantages of such a program is improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), which optimizes gut function and nutrient absorption. Birds with healthy intestinal linings can convert feed into body mass more efficiently, improving FCR. Reducing the feed required achieves optimal growth and can significantly lower operational expenses. Birds with healthy gut integrity have stronger immune systems and lower mortality rates. Flocks with robust intestinal health are less susceptible to infections like NE and coccidiosis. This enhanced immunity means flocks expend less energy fighting diseases and more energy on growth and production. By strengthening gut health, producers may see improved welfare metrics, fewer losses in flocks and reduced costs. Focusing on prevention rather than treatment enables producers to significantly lower medication and treatment costs. Lessening the labor involved in treating sick birds makes operations more efficient and cost-effective. This is particularly crucial in No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) production systems. As consumer demand for antibiotic-free poultry grows, producers seek preventative gut health measures like proper nutrition, probiotics and good management practices. These proactive methods can help producers maintain profitability while adhering to consumer and regulatory demands.
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