Optimising gut health in poultry is crucial for achieving peak bird health and performance and this is where poultry probiotics, like GALLIPRO® FIT, come in. 

By supporting a robust gut microbiome, probiotics can contribute to enhanced immune function and improved poultry intestinal health. 

However, not all probiotics are the same and choosing the right strains is crucial for achieving the desired results in terms of feed conversion, growth rates, and long- term performance. 

This article explores what poultry probiotics are, how they work, and why selecting the right strains is key to maximising poultry gut health and performance

What are poultry probiotics? 

Poultry probiotics are live microorganisms made up of bacteria and yeasts which, when provided in sufficient amounts, help manage gut imbalances and deliver bird health benefits. 

Maintaining a healthy environment in the gut is crucial in poultry, as it influences Intestinal Integrity (I²), immune function, and feed efficiency – factors that are key to the overall health and performance of the bird.

However, not all poultry probiotics are the same and the benefits you will see in the birds will depend on the specific strains included in the probiotic. 

Different strains – even within the same bacterial species – can have very different traits and outcomes in the bird’s gut which is why strain selection in poultry nutrition is so important.

How do poultry probiotics work? 

Probiotics support poultry gut health in several ways: 

• Rapid colonisation and beneficial biofilms – Once ingested, the selected strains germinate and form a protective biofilm across the villi of the gut. This biofilm acts like a shield, helping to maintain tight junctions (reducing leaky gut), while providing a stable environment for beneficial bacteria to thrive 

• Competitive exclusion of pathogens – Probiotics help to outcompete undesirable bacteria for space and nutrients. Many strains also produce antibacterial lipopeptides, further limiting pathogen establishment, which helps prevent infections that could impact bird health such as Salmonella and E. coli 

• Enzyme production for better feed utilisation – The selected strains also produce enzymes that help break down otherwise less digestible fibre and protein fractions. This enhances nutrient availability and supports improved feed efficiency, helping birds get the most out of their feed 

• Balance the microbiome and support the immune system – Poultry probiotics can reduce gut imbalance (also known as dysbiosis), support the bird’s immune system, and contribute to overall Intestinal Integrity. A balanced microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining healthy gut function and enhancing poultry gut health.

What are the benefits of using the probiotic GALLIPRO FIT in poultry production?

With a consistent programme of GALLIPRO FIT throughout the bird’s life cycle, producers can see the following benefits: 

• Improved feed efficiency and average weight gain – Studies report feed conversion ratio (FCR) improvements of up to 3 points and average bodyweight gains of 58 g.^1,2

• Lower bird mortality – Mortality reductions of around 1% have been observed in trial settings, reflecting stronger gut health and resilience, which contribute directly to improved bird health.³ 

• More consistent performance – By stabilising the gut microbiome, it can help birds cope better with everyday stresses and variable diets. This results in more predictable outcomes, better intestinal health, greater flock uniformity and fewer carcass condemnations.^4,5

When should you use poultry probiotics? 

While poultry probiotics have historically been used post-antibiotics to repopulate the gut, they are most effective when used throughout the bird’s life cycle. Proactive use helps support optimal gut health in poultry, resulting in more consistent performance.

Why are specific strains important in poultry probiotics? 

When choosing a poultry probiotic, it’s better to select one that contains multiple specific strains, as each strain offers distinct benefits. 

For example, GALLIPRO FIT includes three complementary Bacillus strains that work together to support various aspects of poultry gut health. 

There are three key factors to consider when selecting a poultry probiotic: 

1. Choose strains which complement one another – Strains should work well together and not outcompete each other 

2. Choose strains that exhibit good pathogen inhibition – Strains that can quickly colonise the gut, form a protective beneficial biofilm, produce antimicrobial peptides, and outcompete harmful pathogens for essential nutrients, are highly recommended for improving poultry gut health and intestinal health 

3. Choose strains that improve dietary nutrient utilisation – Strains that produce high levels of enzymes are recommended. These are essential for efficiently breaking down dietary fibre and protein into more digestible components