Gut health, digestibility and feed conversion ratio in poultry

Gut health impacts digestibility and FCR. Optimal intestinal health and gut function are essential to efficient and profitable poultry production. Many challenges and stressors, such as necrotic enteritis and toxins, impact poultry performance leading to significant economic loss for producers. Our products help producers manage these challenges to maximize bird performance and help achieve their production goals.

Gut health is an issue of special importance in livestock business, especially in poultry enterprises. Because it is the key to protecting and supporting the general health and performance of animals. In addition, feed is the most important input cost for an animal production business. The best reflection of this input on production, which we can call the feed conversion ratio (FCR), is also important for the profitability and sustainability of the enterprise.

Aldo Rossi, VP Innovation and Technical Service and Reagan Culbertson, VP Strategic Marketing at Amlan International, answered questions about gut health, digestibility and feed conversion ratio in poultry.

What does digestibility mean in poultry? What does digestibility have to do with gut health?
A. Ability to breakdown and release nutrients from the feed and make the nutrients available for absorption into the body to fuel growth, health, immune function, performance, etc.

B. A damaged or diseased intestine (i.e. unhealthy gut) will be limited in its ability to absorb nutrients – undigested food can pass through the intestine and provide no value to the growth, development, and health of the animal. In addition, due to the cellular damage of an unhealthy intestine, unwanted factors (toxins, microorganisms, etc.) may leak through the gut wall and move into the bloodstream infecting other parts of the body. On the other hand, a healthy gut will be more efficient in absorbing the nutrients that are formulated in the feed – nutrients that are needed for optimal performance and health.

What is the feed conversion ratio and why is it important? What is the connection between digestibility and gut health with feed conversion ratio?
• Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) is a measurement of how efficiently an animal will convert feed into body weight. Calculating FCR is as simple as taking the total amount of feed consumed and dividing it by the body weight. Lower FCR values indicate higher efficiency.

• Feed cost is the highest input cost in producing chickens. Factors such as feed formulations, genetics, management, health, and livability can have a significant impact on FCR and thus have a significant impact on production costs.

• With a healthy gut, the bird can digest and absorb the nutrients in the feed at an optimal level and thus be able to more efficiently convert feed into weight gains and meat.

• Thus, a low FCR reduces feed costs and as a result, allows producers to have increased profitability. As feed costs rise, the value of low FCR becomes even more rewarding.

What are the ways to increase digestion and feed efficiency in poultry?
A. Advancements and optimization in nutrition, genetics, husbandry practices, biosecurity procedures, and flock health programs can all contribute to improve feed utilization, well-being and overall bird performance.

B. There are several feed additives (enzymes, AGPs, anticoccidials, toxin binders, etc.) that can help with digestibility and help to improve gut health. Amlan’s portfolio of products has proven efficacy to improve gut health. Calibrin-Z^® is an excellent broad-spectrum toxin binder, Varium^® is a superior natural alternative to AGs, and Phylox^® is a natural, effective anticoccidial – all of which promote optimal gut health and performance. Calibrin-Z^®, Varium^® and Phylox^® are all available in select international markets.

What does Amlan recommend to poultry producers on issues such as gut health, digestibility and feed conversion ratio, and what products and services does Amlan offer?
Gut health impacts digestibility and FCR. Optimal intestinal health and gut function are essential to efficient and profitable poultry production. Many challenges and stressors, such as necrotic enteritis, coccidiosis and toxins, impact poultry performance leading to significant economic loss for producers. Our products help producers manage these challenges to maximize bird performance and help achieve their production goals.

Amlan offers several products to help combat bacterial toxins and mycotoxins, necrotic enteritis, and coccidiosis that impact the poultry industry.

Calibrin^®-Z protects poultry and livestock health and performance by binding bacterial toxins and mycotoxins. Calibrin-Z^® can protect the intestinal barrier against damage from a broad range of bacterial toxins, including E. coli toxins (exotoxins and endotoxins) and Clostridium perfringens toxins — the cause of necrotic enteritis.

Recently, Amlan expanded its product portfolio with the launch of Phylox^®, a research-backed, natural alternative to anticoccidial drugs and vaccines that improves feed conversion and weight gain and reduces mortality and morbidity. Phylox^® has multiple modes of action, including damaging the Eimeria cell membrane (causing cell death), interrupting the Eimeria life cycle (disrupting sporulation), boosting acquired cell-mediated immunity and strengthening the intestinal barrier to improve performance.

Varium^®, specifically designed for poultry, is a patented, natural formula that improves performance by reducing the level of challenge from pathogenic bacteria and the toxins they produce, strengthens the intestinal barrier, and stimulates immunity. The synergistic formula of our proprietary mineral technology has been proven to promote poultry intestinal health for improved feed conversion and mortality.

Last year, Amlan launched Phylox, an ambitious product for poultry gut health. Can you tell us what features this product stands out with?
Coccidiosis is one of the most significant diseases affecting poultry production, costing the global poultry industry billions of dollars each year. Traditionally, ionophores or synthetic chemicals were used to control coccidiosis. But government regulations and consumer concerns over chemicals and drugs in the food chain have reduced their use in recent years. Now poultry producers need a natural, research-backed alternative to chemical coccidiostats and ionophores — like Phylox^®.

We believe our product will standout since its bioactive blend of antiprotozoal phytochemicals helps to decrease the negative production and health effects of coccidiosis. Phylox® has multiple modes of action that include damaging the Eimeria cell membrane (causing cell death), interrupting the Eimeria life cycle (disrupting sporulation), and boosting acquired cell-mediated immunity and strengthening the intestinal barrier. This means improved gut health and an increase in production which allows poultry producers to drive profits naturally.

What results did you get in your research and trials regarding this product? Can you explain with some examples?
Phylox^® has been shown to be successful in numerous research trials. In 2022, Amlan gave two presentations: A Novel Approach to Coccidiosis Control and A Research-Backed Alternative to Anticoccidial Drugs at the Scientific Forum of IPPE. These presentations represented seven experiments and show Phylox^® improved growth and immune function in broilers challenged with coccidia. Two additional experiments have been added as a final step in research and development, further proving the value of Phylox^® for birds facing a coccidia challenge. Amlan’s most recent blog on Phylox^® will provide details of two research trials.

Do you think this product contributes to digestion and feed conversion ratio?
Yes, a healthy gut will promote optimal absorption of nutrients within the feed. This optimal utilization of the nutrients will lead to optimal growth and weight gains which results in a lower FCR and improved profitability for producers. Our blog shows two examples that address improved FCR.

Finally, what would you like to add?
Amlan is committed to developing natural alternatives for animal protein producers to meet consumer demands that also drive profits naturally by optimizing gut health and adding value to operations. We do this through our unique mineral technology. Unlike other clay-based products, Amlan uses a proprietary thermal processing technique (not harsh chemicals), tailored specifically for each of our products, to optimize our unique single-source mineral — it’s the Amlan difference.

About Aldo Rossi
Aldo Rossi is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with more than 30 years of poultry industry experience. Rossi began his career at Cargill in 1992, followed by Elanco as a poultry technical consultant. In 1997 he moved to Simmons Foods as a company veterinarian and then Cobb-Vantress in 2000, where he served in various capacities, including veterinarian for the World Technical Support team, North American sales, and VP of research and development. Currently, Rossi serves as VP of Innovation and Technical Services for Amlan International. Here he shares knowledge of innovative research, product development, and animal health to support the production goals of poultry and livestock producers globally.

About Reagan Culbertson
Reagan has over 15 years of experience with Oil-Dri^® Corporation of America and Amlan International. She currently leads the B2B global marketing and communication initiatives for all three of Oil-Dri’s agriculture divisions. Throughout her tenure with the company, she served as Oil-Dri’s Manager of Investor Relations for seven years and was involved in the development of the Amlan business. Reagan is also a leader in Oil-Dri’s commitment to ethical principles by serving on the Environmental, Social, and Governance team.