Feed hygiene in poultry production is a frequently forgotten aspect of biosecurity that can have far-reaching consequences. Contaminated feed may lead to poultry diseases with detrimental effects on performance and feed safety issues with important economic and reputation consequences. Maintaining healthy laying hen flocks in an antibiotic-free environment requires a comprehensive improvement of current management practices and disease prevention strategies.
Technical Director (Americas)
Anitox
Strategies minimizing the opportunities of disease-causing agents to infiltrate susceptible flocks support producers’ profitability objectives, and are typically achieved by establishing lines of separation through a sound biosecurity program. For layer production these programs start by separating the pullets of layers from the exterior of the farm, cleaning and disinfecting vehicles, using protective gear and sanitizing any potential fomite from feed, which is critically important. Significant time and effort are involved in every biosecurity effort, and feed is a critical fomite in the layer industry due to its ability to introduce contamination through raw materials and its widespread dissemination throughout layer operations.
The microbial quality of feed directly impacts the health, productivity, and ultimately, the profitability of layer production operations. Amidst the multiple factors influencing gut health, feed sanitation emerges as a cornerstone practice for safeguarding the delicate balance within the gastrointestinal ecosystem. Recent data evaluates the profound impact of feed sanitation on commercial layer gut health, proper microbiome development and how it could help producers optimize hen performance and profitability.
FEED HYGIENE STRATEGIES SUPPORT LAYER PRODUCTION
Feed hygiene in poultry production is a frequently forgotten aspect of biosecurity that can have far-reaching consequences. Contaminated feed may lead to poultry diseases with detrimental effects on performance and feed safety issues with important economic and reputation consequences. Maintaining healthy laying hen flocks in an antibiotic-free environment requires a comprehensive improvement of current management practices and disease prevention strategies. Heightened biosecurity measures are essential to minimize the risk of avian pathogen transmission, with contaminated raw materials and finished feed serving as efficient vectors for disease dissemination throughout the production chain.
Effective strategies for optimizing feed hygiene are imperative for the success of layer production operations. Stringent quality assurance measures are crucial in feed hygiene, beginning with sourcing high-quality ingredients and thorough inspections to detect contamination. Proper storage in clean, dry and ventilated facilities minimizes spoilage risks. Regular cleaning, disinfection and strict sanitation protocols prevent harmful pathogen buildup. Robust monitoring, including microbial testing, detects contamination promptly and enhanced biosecurity, restricting access and implementing hygiene protocols, reduces pathogen spread. Nutritional optimization, with tailored feed rations and additives like prebiotics and probiotics, supports health and egg quality. Finally, education and training of farm personnel ensure compliance with protocols, fostering accountability and diligence in feed management.
Feed hygiene is the linchpin that holds the entire operation together. By prioritizing feed hygiene and implementing comprehensive strategies to maintain feed quality, producers can safeguard the health and welfare of their flock while optimizing production efficiency and profitability. As the adage goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” – investing in feed hygiene today is not just a prudent decision but a strategic imperative for long-term success in the poultry industry.
UNDERSTANDING FEED’S IMPACT ON GUT MICROBIOME MANAGEMENT
The gut microbiome of chickens plays a pivotal role in maintaining health, productivity and overall well-being. Comprised of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and archaea, the microbiome interacts closely with the host to regulate nutrient absorption, metabolism and health and modulate immune responses. Feed quality significantly impacts the structure and function of the poultry gut microbiome.
A balanced microbiome is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption, immune responses, performance and avian health. Imbalances in gut microbiome composition (dysbiosis), can lead to various health disorders, including gut inflammation, decreased feed conversion and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Recent research has revealed that certain microbiome makeups are related to better immune responses in broilers and lower mortality in broiler breeders.
FEED SANITATION PROMOTES COMMERCIAL LAYER GUT HEALTH
Feed contains variable microbial loads and is a proven fomite for bacteria and viral pathogens. Unlike other fomites, it is centrally produced, systematically disseminated throughout commercial layer operations and consumed daily. A variety of avian pathogens including bacteria, viruses and fungi have been linked to feed. In a study evaluating mixed feed samples from different commercial mills, Clostridia was determined to be prevalent in most of the samples tested. Similarly, Salmonella has recurrently been associated with animal feed in more than 500 publications. More recently, the use of CRISPR SeroSeq has shown prevalence of Salmonella serovars of animal and human health relevance in feed mills around the world.
Incorporating feed sanitation practices in layer production diminishes the influx of microbes into the system and contributes to fostering gut development, a balanced microbiome and health and overall performance. Anitox has observed through initial data generated in ongoing studies that the adoption of efficient feed sanitation methods can deter Salmonella colonization in hens via feed, consequently enhancing egg production during peak laying periods. Additionally, feed sanitation influences microbiome composition, laying the groundwork for healthier birds and bolstering their well-being throughout the production cycle.
Given the heightened demands of modern poultry production, where birds are expected to produce more while maintaining safety and nutrition, feed sanitation presents the opportunity to establish an additional line of separation to reinforce existing biosecurity programs and help control of feed-source pathogens. Ensuring clean feed at the point of consumption plays a crucial role in mitigating pathogen prevalence within live production systems. Pathogen-free feed not only promotes gut health but also facilitates efficient energy conversion, ultimately reducing the incidence of performance-limiting diseases, bird mortality and egg contamination within layer production systems.
Only a true feed sanitizer, such as Termin-8® and Finio®, offers producers the highest level of feed pathogen control and continued protection against recontamination for at least 14 days. While best-in-class feed sanitation may not be necessary in every scenario, Fortrol® offers an alternative solution for achieving a general reduction in feed microbial loads. This organic acid product, enhanced with Anitox application technology, provides producers with valuable options for strategically managing feed microbial levels. By incorporating Fortrol® and Finio® into a multi-point intervention program, producers can effectively control feed microbial loads and ensure long-term protection in targeted areas as needed.
About Jose Ramirez
Jose Ramirez has over 35 years of experience in the feed, poultry and swine industries. Following his completion of a degree in agricultural science from the University of Puerto Rico, he went on to further his education with an MBA in Technology Management. As Technical Services Manager for the Americas, Ramirez aids producers in understanding feed as a fomite and works alongside leading producers to implement effective feed-source pathogen mitigation and milling efficiency strategies.
