NEWS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2025 21 At the Pennsylvania State University, researchers discovered that metformin, a drug usually prescribed for type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in humans, can actually help chickens lay more eggs. Specifically, it helps broiler breeder hens — the chickens that produce the broiler chickens we eventually eat — stay fertile and produce eggs for longer, even as they age. While the team has known that metformin can help egg production in chickens for a couple of years, they recently discovered how it works. They published their findings in the Biology of Reproduction journal. Broiler breeder hens have been selectively bred for decades for their offspring to grow quickly and reach market weight fast — a trait that helps meet the world’s demand for affordable chicken meat. But there’s a trade-off: As these birds age, their ability to lay eggs declines rapidly, limiting how long they can remain productive. This drop in fertile egg production resembles PCOS in humans, which also affects fertility and ovarian function. That’s where metformin, a common treatment for PCOS, enters the picture. Read more>> Penn State study links common diabetes drug to improved egg production Credit: Hispanolistic/Getty Images A group of industry professionals are exploring a fishmeal alternative derived from marine sources to evaluate potential benefits for gut health and growth performance in meat chickens. The Innovate UK initiative, “Farmed Marine Proteins for Poultry Feed”, assessed the viability of using Artemeal – a protein product made from artemia – as a novel replacement for fishmeal in the diets of young broilers. The aim was to monitor health outcomes, optimise growth and reduce environmental impact. Aquanzo Ltd, the project’s lead partner, has collaborated with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the UK Agri-Tech Centre to introduce a sustainable alternative to traditional fishmeal, offering a long-term solution to the current marine protein ingredient crisis. Lee Cocker, Project Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, expressed: “This has been an important and fascinating project and I am extremely proud to have been part of a team that has made such positive advances. The future is bright for Artemeal.” Traditionally, marine ingredients, in the form of fishmeal, are considered among the most nutrient-rich feed options for young terrestrial animals (like chicks and weanling piglets) and aquaculture species. However, the environmental toll of harvesting wild marine resources is significant, involving substantial greenhouse gas emissions from long distance transport and a delicate reliance on ecosystems already under pressure from climate change. Read more>> UK project tests out novel marine protein to enhance poultry diets
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==