Improve broiler performance and welfare by managing the microbial ecosystems of farms and birds

New research indicates the use of live yeast probiotics, a yeast derivative, and a microbial litter conditioner can contribute to enhanced poultry performance and welfare through improved gut and litter quality. The benefits are obtained through complementary effects on microbial ecosystems.

These are the conclusions of three scientific communications selected by World Poultry Congress (WPC) organizers and shared online ahead of the August 2022 Paris event.

Three studies were presented by Lallemand Animal Nutrition’s applied Research and Development team:

Evaluation of the effect of live yeast probiotic on broiler performances in different conditions: a multi-analysis¹

The use of the live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 (LEVUCELL SB) to improve the performance of broiler chickens has been documented in several environments including controlled research trials, as well as field evaluations. Results for 24 controlled studies (12 research facilities, 12 commercial farms settings) were compiled. Among those, six trials presented challenges with microorganisms commonly encountered in poultry production.

• Overall, the statistical analysis revealed consistently improved growth performance and survival rate (3.5% mortality with the probiotic vs. 4.3% for control groups, on average) with the live yeast supplement. Benefits were even more pronounced under challenging conditions (Table 1).

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Table 1. Improvement of performances of live yeast compared to control groups

The effects of a bacterial litter conditioner application on litter quality and growth performances of broilers²

Litter management is important in broiler production. That’s because it directly affects animal well-being, especially foot health, and air quality, notably building ammonia levels. The use of a bacterial litter conditioner which includes an enzymatic and bacterial complex is a positive approach to help maintain good microbial balance and global quality of the litter.

This study presented evaluated the effects of the bacterial litter conditioner on the physicochemical characteristics of the litter, as well as the performances of broilers. It appeared as the litter quality was improved (humidity, temperature, and overall litter score), animal performance was superior in the litter conditioner group. Moreover, foot health was also improved — fewer birds exhibited signs of footpad dermatitis (FPD), and for birds with FPD, the damage was less severe in the inoculated pens.

Effect of the combination of a multi-strain yeasts fractions product and a coccidiostat on the impact of infection of broiler chickens with Eimeria spp³

This study was conducted by two research teams at the University of Thessaloniki and the University of Ioannina to evaluate the effects of the combination of a multi-strain yeast fraction product (YANG) and the coccidiostat salinomycin on the performance and health of broiler chickens orally challenged with coccidian oocysts.

When compared to controls, the combined supplementation was the only treatment that showed significantly improved (P<0.05) bodyweight of chicken at days 21 and 26 of age and lower (P<0.05) feed conversion rate. The combined treatment, as compared to the coccidiostat alone, showed a lower lesion score at day 21 and significantly lower coccidia contamination of the different gut compartments (duodenum, ileum, and ceca). The authors concluded that YANG could be used in combination with a traditional coccidiostat to reduce the negative effects of an Eimeria spp. challenge and preserve broiler growth performance.

About World Poultry Congress (WPC) 2022: The 26^th WPC has been postponed from 2020 to August 2022 in Paris. Monthly WPC webinars are organized from September 2021 to May 2022 and e-posters are published on the event website, all opened to registered participants. To learn more about the program of WPC 2022 and register for the congress visit: https://wpcparis2022.com/