ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2024 57 DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING Intestinal integrity programs are effective when supported by advanced monitoring tools. The Intestinal Integrity Index (I²), for example, assesses the intestinal health of flocks based on flock-level health and performance data, enabling producers to monitor gut health metrics over time. Tools like the I² Index are valuable in identifying trends and potential issues early, such as signs of intestinal disease, and enable producers to adjust feeding strategies, environmental conditions or health protocols to prevent disease outbreaks. The data provided by advanced monitoring tools allows for quantifying the economic impact of gut health on flock performance, helping producers measure the return on investment from preventative health measures. Additionally, producers' adoption of these tools is beneficial in supporting, informing and evaluating other concurrent industry efforts to drive economic sustainability and profitability. Investing in and maintaining an intestinal integrity program is critical to achieving optimal productivity and profitability in the poultry industry. This proactive approach helps prevent diseases like necrotic enteritis, reduces reliance on antibiotics and enhances overall flock health and efficiency. Leveraging data-driven decision-making tools, like the I² Index, empowers producers to make informed, timely interventions that lower mortality and treatment costs, creating significant savings over time. While implementing a comprehensive intestinal integrity program may require initial investment, the long-term benefits of proactive intestinal health management are a best practice and a necessity in today’s competitive poultry industry. References 1. Caly, D. L., Auclair, E., and Drider, D. 2015. "Alternatives to Antibiotics to Prevent Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens: A Microbiologist's Perspective." Frontiers in Microbiology. 6. https://doi. org/10.3389/fmicb.2015.01336. 2. Fathima, S., Al Hakeem, W.G., et al. 2022. "Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens: A Review on the Pathogen, Pathogenesis, and Prevention." Microorganisms. 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10101958 3. Abd El-Hack, M. E., El-Saadony, M. T., et al. 2022. “Necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens: disease characteristics and prevention using organic antibiotic alternatives - a comprehensive review.” Poultry Sci. 101.2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.101590 4. Godbout, A., Edwards, J., et al. 2024. "Effect of a Multiactivity Non-Starch Polysaccharide Degrading Enzyme on Broiler Growth Performance and Nitrogen Utilization: A Meta-Analysis of Own Trial Data." Animal - Open Space. 3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. anopes.2024.100065 About Dr. Alastair Thomas Alastair Thomas, Ph.D., is a Senior Director of U.S. Poultry Technical Services and Nutritional Health at Elanco. Thomas provides specialized feed additive and microbiology technical support to the poultry technical and marketing team for animal health product groups and services.
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