ISSUE FOCUS 36 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2025 immune system enabling hens to stay productive for longer. At the same time, extending the productive life of laying hens helps build trust in a more sustainable and animal-friendly poultry industry. GUT HEALTH AS A CORNERSTONE OF LONGEVITY AND PERFORMANCE The gastrointestinal tract is central to both nutrient absorption and immune competence. It acts as a barrier against pathogens, a habitat for trillions of microbes and a platform for immune signaling. A stable and diverse microbiota supports nutrient metabolism, synthesises essential compounds and regulates inflammation. In contrast, dysbiosis — the imbalance in the gut microbiome — can lead to subclinical inflammation, impaired digestion and increased disease susceptibility. Maintaining intestinal integrity and microbial homeostasis is particularly critical to maintain calcium digestion in older laying hens and to support layers during challenging situations such as dietary transitions, pathogen exposure and moulting. A compromised gut often leads to systemic immune activation and diverts energy away from production. Longterm, this contributes to reduced productivity and shortened animal lifespans. Supporting gut health is thus essential not only for immediate performance increase but also for ensuring animal resilience for a longer and more efficient production cycle. THE ROLE OF PHYTOGENIC FEED ADDITIVES IN SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs), derived from herbs, spices and other plant-based compounds, offer a natural solution to support animal health without medication. This helps poultry producers meeting residue-free standards and secure access to premium egg markets. The PFAs encompass a wide range of bioactive substances — including essential oils, flavonoids, saponins and bitter compounds — that exert antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and digestive effects. Unlike synthetic drugs, PFAs tend to act in multifactorial and synergistic ways. For example, they may reduce pathogenic bacterial load, strengthen Photo: Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition
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