A Nutritionist's view on improving Poultry Gut Health utilising Beneficial Biofilms
The benefit of biofilms may not be the first thing that comes to mind when poultry producers consider nutritional health, but they play an important role in supporting Intestinal Integrity and overall bird health.
While biofilms are sometimes associated with negative connotations, like build-up in water lines, they can be instrumental in supporting a healthy gut microbiome.
Steve Pritchard, an independent nutritionist, explains when it comes to gut health, biofilms play a significant role in creating a stable and protective environment for beneficial bacteria in the gut.
What are Biofilms and How Do They Benefit Poultry?
Biofilms are communities of microorganisms encased in a protective matrix. They can be found in various environments, such as the bird’s gut, but also elsewhere, in marine ecosystems, on the roots of plants and in food production systems too.
Steve Pritchard - Independent Nutritionist
When it comes to poultry health these beneficial biofilms offer multiple advantages:
- Enhanced Immune Defences: Beneficial biofilm can act as a physical barrier, supporting the bird's natural immune system.
- Improved Nutrient Utilisation: Beneficial biofilms promote villi development1, crucial for nutrient absorption, contributing to better broiler performance and overall poultry health and performance5.
- Stable Gut Environment: Beneficial biofilms provide a favourable environment for desirable bacteria to thrive, positively influencing the poultry microbiome.
If poultry gut health isn't managed effectively, undesirable bacteria can damage the villi, hindering nutrient absorption and negatively impacting bird health.
Beneficial Biofilms and Pathogen Inhibition:
GALLIPRO FIT has been shown to form beneficial biofilm helping to protect the intestinal lining by way of a physical barrier2, creating an environment that is unfavourable for pathogens. The formation of the beneficial biofilm also support tight junctions1, reducing the risk of "leaky gut," where bacteria can enter the bloodstream.
Furthermore, beneficial biofilms produce compounds that inhibit pathogen growth. These compounds, including lipopeptides with antibacterial properties, that enhance pathogen inhibition3. This improved gut environment minimises the risk from undesirable bacteria, ultimately improving bird performance5.
Mr Pritchard emphasises, "You need a probiotic that works quickly and colonises effectively. For example GALLIPRO FIT, containing specifically selected Bacillus strains, excels in this area, rapidly forming a beneficial biofilm in the gut.2”
“Despite the process of beneficial biofilm formation being complex, once GALLIPRO FIT is ingested, the spores will germinate and uniformly colonise the surface of the villi to form a beneficial biofilm,2” he adds.
The GALLIPRO FIT for Poultry Producers:
GALLIPRO FIT has been shown to significantly improve key metrics for poultry producers:
- Reduced feed conversion ratios (FCR) up to 3pts5
- Improved body weight up to 58g4
- Lower mortality rates up to 1%4
By proactively using GALLIPRO FIT, producers can improve poultry health and performance, maximising profitability5.
Mr Pritchard advocates probiotic use as a preventative health management strategy.
“The big benefit from probiotics comes from taking a proactive approach. When they’re administered continuously over a long period, you really see the benefits in the bird’s performance and productivity,” he says.
“They can be included at higher rates if there’s a specific challenge, but ultimately, a long-term preventative strategy is best.”
Learn more about GALLIPRO FIT and enhance your poultry operation's profitability:
1 Establishing early microbiome robustness with GALLIPRO® Fit boosts gut epithelium protection in young chicks
2 Konieczka, et al. (2018) Effects of pea extrusion and enzyme and probiotic supplementation on performance, microbiota activity and biofilm formation in the broiler gastrointestinal tract. British Poultry Science, 59:6
3. Chr. Hansen Laboratories - Peacock Project, 2020
4. Chr. Hansen Laboratories, ‘28 trials data’
5. Chr. Hansen Laboratories, Trial No. 80559
