When should you use poultry probiotics?
Good poultry nutrition is the foundation of a productive and healthy flock, with a balanced diet ensuring optimal growth rates, strong immunity, and efficient feed conversion. However, gut health in poultry plays an equally important role in supporting these outcomes. While some poultry probiotics, like GALLIPRO® FIT, can be used consistently throughout the bird's life, there are specific times when their benefits are amplified. For example, when gut health has been compromised or the bird is under stress. In this article, we’ll explore when to use probiotics in poultry and how they can improve gut health, bird health, and overall flock performance.
Understanding the role of poultry probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms, which can be in the form of yeast or bacteria; they help maintain a balanced gut microbiome
Probiotics are a useful tool for improving poultry intestinal health, aiding digestion, and boosting nutrient absorption. They can also play an important role in immune support and reducing the impact of undesirable bacteria, improving feed conversion and bird health.
GALLIPRO® FIT is a bacterial-based probiotic containing specific Bacillus strains that support gut health and improve feed efficiency, even in the face of environmental stressors such as heat stress and transportation stress.
When should you use poultry probiotics?
It’s recommended that poultry probiotics are supplemented throughout the bird’s life cycle due to their benefits on gut health which is directly linked to bird performance. They can also help avoid a dip in performance at critical times, such as the following:
1. During feed transitions
A dietary change can temporarily disrupt the gut microbiome. Poultry probiotics can help stabilise gut health by improving digestive efficiency and supporting Intestinal Integrity (I2) during these transitions.
2. Post-antibiotic treatment
Antibiotics can severely impact the balance of beneficial bacteria. Supplementing birds with probiotics after antibiotic treatments can help restore a healthy microbial environment, improving poultry gut health and resilience.
3. During events which might trigger a stress response
Heat, transportation, thinning and overcrowding are all factors which can disrupt gut health in poultry, leading to reduced nutrient absorption and poor digestion. Probiotics can help stabilise gut function and improve bird resilience, ensuring optimal performance during stressful periods.
4. Supporting immune function
A balanced gut microbiome is linked to strong immune function. During disease outbreaks or periods of increased undesirable bacteria risk, probiotics can be used to help strengthen the immune system by improving gut barrier function and maintaining a robust gut microbiome. Feeding probiotics throughout the bird’s life cycle can reduce the likelihood and severity of disease outbreaks.
5. In young birds
Young birds can experience digestive challenges. Probiotics can be used to help establish a robust gut microbiome, ensuring good digestion and better nutrient absorption early in life.
Practical tips for poultry producers
Here are some tips for getting the most from poultry probiotics:
• Consistency is key - While probiotics, such as GALLIPRO® FIT, can be introduced during specific periods of stress, if you’re really looking to optimise bird performance, they should be included consistently in your feeding protocol to maintain stable gut health throughout the bird’s life
• Timing and dosage - When transitioning feeds, after antibiotic treatments, or during high-stress periods, administer probiotics according to the recommended dosage for optimal results
• Integration with other feed additives - Poultry feed additives like enzymes, such as Hemicell™, can work in combination with probiotics for comprehensive gut support and improved feed efficiency
Why choose GALLIPRO® FIT for your flock?
Backed by science, GALLIPRO® FIT is a powerful poultry probiotic designed to support intestinal health.
Containing three specifically selected Bacillus strains that help restore and maintain gut balance, it improves protein digestibility and energy availability from non-starch polysaccharides, benefits bird health, and competes with gram negative and positive microbes1,2,3.
Whether it’s stabilising the gut after stress or enhancing digestion throughout the bird’s life cycle, probiotics, like GALLIPRO® FIT, offer comprehensive support for optimal flock performance.
*Referenceable claims in digital and social copy can be found on this page. Full reference list below:
1 Chr. Hansen Laboratories – Trial no. 80375
2 Chr. Hansen Laboratories – multiple trials; ‘Individual strain undesirable bacteria inhibition’
