Gut health problems are a constant companion to modern poultry industry

Gut health problems are a “consistent companion of current poultry growing” systems that impair bird welfare and performance, according to Dr. Franco Calini, an advisor to the feed and animal industries. “Litter problems tend to be most prevalent gut health issues, followed by ammonia, Hock burns and footpad dermatitis,” Dr. Calini said. “The wide variability among gut health issues means that a ‘one problem, one solution’ approach cannot work.”
Genome sequencing is one technology that is allowing researchers to investigate the relationship between the ceca microbiota and the chicken more closely. “Recent technological advances have made genome sequencing much quicker and less expensive than in the past,” noted Alessandra De Cesare, research assistant in the Food Safety Laboratory at the University of Bologna. “Next generation sequencing (NGS) can serve to analyze bacterial populations within the gastrointestinal tract and interactions within that community. Bacteria in chicken’s gastrointestinal tract can vary a lot even among samples taken from a single flock."
Metabolic diseases are also linked to gut health. “Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis (BCO) is a bacterial infection that starts in the growth plate cartilage. Right now it’s probably the most common cause of lameness in the United States,” explained Prof. Robert Wideman of the University of Arkansas. He presented peer-reviewed study results showing that PoultryStar^® can reduce the incidence of BCO lameness in broilers by more than half, even across different genetic lines.
“A competitive exclusion strategy using a multi-strain probiotic additive such as PoultryStar can play a role in reducing the incidence of BCO lameness in birds,” remarked Luca Vandi, BIOMIN Technical & Marketing Director for EMA. He shared results from a farm in the Netherlands showing genuine performance improvements and net return on investment gains in 75% of barns applying PoultryStar for broilers. “The clear reduction in BCO lameness in this case was accompanied by less antibiotic use,” he added.
With its long experience in scientifically formulated feed additives for livestock, BIOMIN has become a leading authority on gut performance and probiotics.
These remarks were made to more than 60 delegates at the BIOMIN seminar on “The Multifacets of Gut Performance and Lameness” at the School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Bologna on Nov. 12.

How probiotics affect poultry gut health and lameness

“Necrotic enteritis and dysbiosis are the two major challenges facing poultry production since the 2006 ban on antibiotic growth promoters in the European Union,” stated Professor Richard Ducatelle of Ghent University. He made the remarks during his presentation at the BIOMIN seminar on “The Multifacets of Gut Performance and Lameness,” which was held at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University in Belgium on Nov. 10.
Necrotic enteritis, widespread in broilers, costs the industry $2 billion worldwide annually. Dysbiosis, or dysbacteriosis—characterized by an imbalance between beneficial and harmful gut bacteria—and leaky gut constitute a multi-factorial disease with real consequences for poultry health and performance, according to Gunther Antonissen of Ghent University. “Inflammation, diarrhea, wet litter, digestibility issues, welfare problems, disease, and performance problems are all associated with the loss of intestinal epithelial integrity,” he explained. Fortunately, attention to feed formulation, management practices and feed additives can influence gut performance. Prof. Ducatelle outlined how both prebiotics and probiotics (direct fed microbials) can protect intestinal health.
“Poultry-to-poultry beneficial bacterial strains will persist longer in a bird’s gastrointestinal tract,” explained Dr. Wael Abdelrahman, Technical Consultant at BIOMIN. “Different probiotic strains will colonize different parts of the gastrointestinal tract and, if used together, will have an overall greater effect compared to a single strain probiotic,” he continued. Combining a prebiotic and probiotic can provide further benefits.
Tackling BCO lameness
Prof. Robert Wideman of the University of Arkansas provided insights into a lameness caused by stress and bacterial infection in broilers, including research findings on Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis (BCO). “BCO is a common cause of lameness in the US and EU that typically affects 1.5% of broilers grown past 40 days of age. ‘Epidemic’ outbreaks can affect more than 15% of a flock in some cases,” he noted. Peer-reviewed study results show that PoultryStar^® can reduce the incidence of BCO lameness by more than half, even across different genetic lines.
Providing further evidence, Gino Totté, Director at Panagro Health and Nutrition, shared results from a farm in the Netherlands. Citing genuine performance and net return on investment gains in 75% of barns applying PoultryStar^® for broilers, he highlighted “a clear reduction in BCO lameness accompanied by less antibiotic use.”
The harm of Campylobacter
“Campylobacter is not a harmless commensal,” declared Prof. Tom Humphrey of Swansea University. “It represents an international problem and has a direct impact on broiler performance, health and welfare.” The threat to human health is real: the World Health Organization named Campylobacter the number one food borne pathogen and long-term side effects can occur in about 1% of cases. Left unchecked, Campylobacter “will become a trade issue and a political issue as companies and regulators examine levels in poultry production more closely.” He emphasized the need for further research to better understand and control Campylobacter.
“A competitive exclusion strategy using synbiotic (combination prebiotic and probiotic) supplemented feed can play a role in reducing Campylobacter prevalence in birds,” remarked Luca Vandi, BIOMIN Technical & Marketing Director for EMA. He shared results of a scientific study showing a statistically significant reduction in Campylobacter levels in broilers using PoultryStar^®.
With its long experience in scientifically formulated feed additives for livestock, BIOMIN has become a leading authority on gut performance and probiotics.
The conference, held in partnership with key local BIOMIN partner, Panagro Health and Nutrition, brought together more than 100 attendees from across the poultry industry representing 13 countries. It ended with a tour of the Ghent University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s facilities.

Nutriad sponsors symposium on intestinal health and poultry production

Nutriad recently sponsored the third symposium of the Intestinal Health Scientific Interest Group (IHSIG) in Ghent, Belgium. Empathizing poultry gut health, the group wants to evoke discussions with the scientific community, poultry producers, regulatory authorities and poultry veterinarians, aiming to promote health and welfare in poultry production.
Dr. Tim Goossens, business development manager Digestive Performance, and Anne-Harm Algra, regional sales manager Benelux, represented Nutriad.
The 2015 symposium zoomed in on the One Health concept, which recognizes that the health of humans is connected to the health of animals and the environment.  Humans and animals interact with greater frequency and intimacy in a globalized world. This interaction offers the opportunity for the emergence and spread of disease agents that could adversely impact animal or human health or both.
“Nutriad is known for its research on intestinal health and its ability to transform science into practical solutions for producers worldwide,” said Dr. Goossens, “and in that context the ‘One World, One Health’ theme of this year was of special interest.”
Algra said, “With a product range dedicated to intestinal health and feed and food safety, Nutriad strives to continue to be a front runner in this area of expertise.”
The topics that were covered ranged from gut microbiota in health and disease, the pathogenicity of Campylobacter for poultry and humans, the virulence mechanisms of Clostridium perfringens to antimicrobial resistance determination and its consequences for animal and human health.

Approximately 250 participants attended this year’s conference, and they included veterinarians, poultry producers and scientists from academia and industry.