ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2026 33 FORMULATION STRATEGIES FOR POULTRY • Support early growth: The use of high-quality protein sources, providing fast-absorbable peptides and amino acids to compensate for the low digestion capacity, and to avoid free protein in the hindgut -as it can favor the growth of potential pathogens-, supports the important nutritional demands of this critical period. Early protein nutrition affects muscle fiber number and organ development, which are the basis of future growth, and support the development of immunity in young animals. For instance, enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESBM), fed to broilers at a 5% inclusion during the starter period, has demonstrated better performance both after the feeding phase and at the end of the cycle, in high and low-performing flocks (Figure 2) in comparison with SBM alone. • Support immunity: Nutrition plays a central role in supporting both innate and adaptive immunity. Proteins provide the blocks for antibodies, immune cells, and enzymes involved in immune responses. Amino acids like lysine, methionine, threonine, and arginine are especially critical as they support mucin production, antibody synthesis, and overall immune competence. In my experience, the use of high-quality, digestible protein sources supplemented with crystalline amino acids to meet precise requirements is fundamental for the development of the immune function; additionally, essential vitamins and minerals as vitamins A, E, D and the B complex, Cu, Zn and Se should be included in bioavailable sources for better absorption and immune efficacy. • Support gut health: One of my mentors firmly believes that nothing supports gut health better than proper nutrition; however, he adds, nutrition is never proper: expect always variability in raw materials, pressure from antinutritional factors, contaminants, etc. Add to this, environmental and management pressures, and you make the perfect storm for gut health imbalances. For this, feed additives can certainly contribute to preventing these issues. One of my favorites, in young animals, is the use of probiotics, which introduce beneficial bacteria that compete with pathogens for nutrients and adhesion sites, improving health, nutrient utilization, immunity, and resilience. The use of exogenous enzymes improves digestibility and reduces the effects of anti-nutritional factors, % of improvement relative to a control group 4.8% 4.2% -1.4% -1.5% -0.9% -1.1% 6.0 % 5.0 % 4.0 % 3.0 % 2.0 % 1.0 % 0.0 % -1.0 % -2.0 % % of control group 2.2% 3.8% 0.5% 1.3% -0.9% -1.5% Performance level 85-95% of genetic potential (n=4) Performance level <85% of genetic potential (n=5) Performance level >95% of genetic potential (n=3) Body weight feeding period Body weight end FCR end FCR feeding period Figure 2. Percentage difference in performance of broilers fed standard starting diets with 5% of enzymatically treated soybean meal (ESBM) partially substituting SBM, having standard diets with full SBM as the base of the comparison. Grower and Finisher diets are the same for both groups. Starter phase from 0 to 14 days. Data from 2018 to 2024.
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