Addressing misconceptions about probiotics allows poultry producers
to unlock significant performance benefits
Poultry producers could be missing out on significant health and performance benefits due to common misconceptions surrounding the use of probiotics in rations.
Sarah Turner from Elanco says the use of probiotics to create a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, also known as a robust intestinal microbiome, not only benefits performance, but also bird health and food safety.
“Poultry probiotic products, such as GALLIPRO® FIT, contain specifically selected strains of live bacteria which colonise the digestive tract and enhance the gut environment to support bird health and performance1,2,” she explains.
“Whether you’re a pullet producer, broiler producer, or a gamebird rearer, improvements to your birds’ gut microbiome are going to have a big impact.”
She adds: “Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to bird health, and ensuring a robust gut microbiome will better equip birds to cope with, and bounce back from, challenges that come their way.
“Developing a robust microbiome in the first few days of life is crucial, as it equips birds to better handle challenges and maximise productivity benefits over time.”
Ms Turner clarifies five of the most common myths about poultry probiotics below:
Myth 1: probiotics are ineffective – When choosing a poultry probiotic, producers should ensure that products are backed by rigorous scientific research and proven efficacy through commercial trials. Novonesis, the producers of the poultry probiotic GALLIPRO® FIT are global leaders in biosolutions, with their trusted bacterial cultures integral to the production of every second cheese globally3.
Myth 2: probiotics work instantly – probiotics are not a silver bullet and while they begin forming beneficial biofilms rapidly, establishing a strong microbial balance in the gut requires consistent use. For optimal results, incorporate them from day one across production cycles. This approach ensures a gradual, yet powerful impact.
Myth 3: probiotics can replace antibiotics – probiotics form part of antibiotic reduction strategies, but they will never fully replace them. Antibiotics will continue to play an important role in treating sick birds. Probiotics help to reduce antibiotic usage by inhibiting the growth of undesirable bacterial species and, in turn, promoting Intestinal Integrity4.
Myth 4: probiotics are only beneficial when there is a disease challenge – probiotics offer a wide range of benefits, regardless of whether a challenge is present in your flock. They work to create a robust gut microbiome which allows the birds to adapt to challenging conditions in order to maintain microbial balance and productivity. Trials involving GALLIPRO® Fit, for example, have shown that the probiotic results in poultry performance benefits including reduction in mortality and a boost in average bodyweight of birds5.
Myth 5: all probiotics are the same – in the same way no two birds or farms are the same, no two probiotics are the same. Different strains have different modes of action, such as inhibiting undesirable bacteria or enzyme production. Look for a probiotic which contains strains selected specifically for poultry with specific modes of action to support a reduction in undesirable bacteria, alongside beneficial enzyme production to improve the utilisation of feed.
1. Elanco DOF Individual strain undesirable bacteria inhibition 2023 (v1.0).
2. Konieczka P., et al. Effects of pea extrusion and enzyme and probiotic supplementation on performance, microbiota activity and biofilm formation in the broiler gastrointestinal tract. British Poultry Science. 2018;59(6):654-662.
4. Elanco DOF CHR Hansen Triple-strain Bacillus-based GALLIPRO Fit helps to reduce the use of antibiotics (v1.0).
5. Elanco DOF CHR. Hans 28 Trials data 2023 (v2.0).
