ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2025 45 alence in ovarian tissue and concentration in ceca, reducing the risk of eggshell contamination. By minimizing pathogen attachment, MRF also decreases gut inflammation and improves nutrient absorption, leading to better feed efficiency and overall bird health. Gut microbiome and competitive exclusion A diverse gut microbiota is essential for digestion, immunity and pathogen resistance. A well-balanced microbiota outcompetes harmful bacteria for nutrients and attachment sites, preventing pathogenic colonization. However, stressors which are more likely in a cage-free system, like environmental changes, can disrupt microbiota balance, leading to dysbiosis, reduced nutrient absorption and compromised gut integrity. MRF supplementation promotes microbiota diversity, increasing beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Blautia. This enhances competitive exclusion, where beneficial bacteria outgrow and suppress harmful pathogens, maintaining gut health. Additionally, MRF stimulates the production of shortchain fatty acids (SCFAs), which further support gut integrity and overall bird health. Gut integrity The transition to a cage-free system can have negative effects on feed efficiency. MRF has been shown to improve absorptive capacity through increasing villi height and surface area and improving villi-to-crypt ratio, enabling improved absorption of nutrients, which may help alleviate some of these negative effects. CONCLUSION The shift to cage-free egg production in Europe presents both challenges and opportunities. While improving hen welfare, cage-free systems do require enhanced management to mitigate disease risk, optimize feed efficiency and maintain egg safety. Gut health plays a critical role in addressing these challenges. MRF supplementation offers a proactive solution to support microbiota diversity, prevent pathogen colonization and enhance feed efficiency. By prioritizing gut health, producers can navigate the complexities of cage-free production while ensuring high welfare standards, strong hen immunity and safer eggs for consumers. About Dr. Harriet Walker At the Alltech® Technology Group, Dr. Harriet Walker works as a poultry specialist. Within this role she provides technical support to the sales force and supports and interprets poultry research activities, focusing on providing solutions to optimize animal performance and efficiency. Before taking this role, Harriet worked in the industry as a poultry nutritionist, developing a solid nutritional and technical knowledge base. She has extensive experience in bird nutrition and management over various farm sizes and poultry types. Harriet completed her Ph.D. at Nottingham Trent University in 2013, evaluating the gut health and performance of broilers when feeding supplements to reduce antibiotic use, elucidating their mode of action. She also studied animal science at the University of Nottingham, where she completed her third-year dissertation in poultry nutrition in 2009. Photo: Alltech
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==