ISSUE FOCUS 34 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2026 also supporting gut health. It is important to consider xylanases, which break down arabinoxylans, nonstarch polysaccharides (NSPs) abundant in cereals such as wheat, rye, and barley. NSPs increase digesta viscosity, impairing nutrient absorption and promoting pathogenic bacterial growth in the gut. EXPECTED OUTCOMES Higher nutrient availability, protein digestion, immune and gut health lead to better growth performance with lower inputs, improving not only body weight gain, but also feed conversion rate. The performance improvements when formulating for critical periods occur in different types of operations, improving performance and profitability. FEED FORMULATION FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT IN YOUNG ANIMALS During early life stages, animals may experience stress due to management events such as vaccination, transport, or disease outbreaks. If performance declines, a thorough field investigation is essential. In the meantime, immediate action can include supplementing feed with rapidly digestible proteins, antioxidants, or functional additives to help reduce physiological stress. We know that good feed formulation cannot eliminate stress entirely, but it can help young animals cope better, recover faster, and maintain performance. Nutrition remains one of the most practical and effective strategies for managing stress during critical periods, helping animals recover faster and maintain optimal performance. ADDITIONAL FORMULATION STRATEGIES In addition to the strategies already discussed, I believe it is important to consider a few more approaches for managing periods of increased challenges: • Prevention is better than a cure: By anticipating stress events and tailoring nutrition, we can avoid drops in growth performance, support immune function, and reduce mortality and morbidity. Strategic nutrition not only helps animals cope with immediate stress but also improves long-term resilience, growth, and productivity. • Provide building blocks: Higher protein of fast absorption and key amino acids support growth and immunity. Including functional proteins like enzyme-treated soybean meal or hydrolyzed animal proteins to increase digestibility and reduce gut stress. Additionally, highly bioavailable minerals and an additional boost of functional vitamins aid the immune response. • Feed additives add: Feed additives are valuable tools that help young animals cope with stress, maintain gut health, and recover more quickly. Using combinations of additives, selected based on the type of stress and production system will give the best results. THE BOTTOM LINE Proper feed formulation helps minimize stress-related challenges during critical periods by aligning nutrient delivery with actual animal needs. When we anticipate physiological constraints and stress in our formulations, feed becomes a powerful preventive management tool, protecting performance and economic returns. By identifying your farm’s critical periods and tailoring strategies to your unique needs, we can boost productivity, profitability, and animal health and welfare throughout the life cycle. It is important to continue the discussion, make the changes, test strategies, and find the best formulations for your critical periods. About Marisabel Caballero With over two decades of experience in animal production, Marisabel Caballero specializes in broiler breeder management, monogastric nutrition, and the strategic application of feed additives. Her academic background in agriculture and postgraduate studies in animal welfare, production, and business reinforces her commitment to improving productivity and health in monogastric species. With an evidence-based approach, she uses Hamlet Protein’s soy-based specialty proteins to improve gut health and efficiency during critical production phases.
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