INTERVIEW FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2025 67 It is the first line of defense, creating a protective barrier against pathogens through competitive exclusion, where beneficial bacteria occupy intestinal niches that might otherwise be colonized by harmful microorganisms. In addition, the gut microbiota plays a role in the development and maturation of the immune system itself. These protective and developmental functions are crucial for disease resistance and overall health, which directly impacts performance. This delicate balance can be disrupted by various factors, including dietary changes, stress, antibiotics, and notably, mycotoxins (harmful compounds produced by certain fungi that contaminate feed ingredients). When the microbiota is compromised, we often observe reduced performance, increased susceptibility to disease, and overall poor health outcomes in poultry flocks. What would be the value of measuring the intestinal microbiota, and do you have a tool to do so? Measuring the intestinal microbiota provides invaluable insights for poultry producers seeking to optimize bird health and productivity. By monitoring microbial populations, we can: • Assess gut health status, • Detect imbalances before clinical symptoms appear, • Evaluate the effectiveness of feed solutions or interventions, and • Identify potential connections between specific microbial profiles and performance outcomes. This information allows producers to make data-driven decisions about nutrition, management practices, and health interventions. To facilitate this critical assessment, our company has developed Galleon™ - a unique microbiome assessment platform specifically designed for poultry. This innovative tool analyzes the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, providing comprehensive profiles that reflect intestinal health. Thanks to the immense research done to develop Galleon™, we have observed that broiler gut microbiota maturation is linked to flock performance (Figure 1). High-performing flocks see a sharp decrease in Proteobacteria in the first days of broiler age, while short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria gradually increase. In contrast, lower-performing flocks maintain high Proteobacteria levels, with only slight increases in SCFA-producing bacteria. 100 80 60 40 20 0 100 80 60 40 20 0 0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40 High Performing Broiler Flocks Low Performing Broiler Flocks Age (days) % % Age (days) Proteobacteria Lactate producing bacteria SCFA producing bacteria Figure 1. Concept of early maturation – Evolution of different bacterial populations with age of broilers in flocks with high or low performance
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