Antibiotic- Free Approach for Promoting Growth in Poultry

Growth promoters have been used in the poultry industry for decades to enhance production, promote growth performance and body weight gain, and protect birds from pathogenic microbes. This improvement is observed by increased feed conversion efficiency, stimulation of the immune system, increased overall health, and regulation of the intestinal microflora. Antibiotic growth promoters are also used to fight against infectious pathologies such as necrotic enteritis, coccidiosis, etc. There are different types of growth promoters that have been used in poultry birds, some of them are listed below

Types of growth promoters in poultry:

Probiotics:

These are live microbial feed supplements that are used for balancing the population of microbes in the intestines, preventing digestive problems, and improving the overall health of poultry.

Prebiotics:

Prebiotics stimulate the growth of harmless bacteria by providing energy and other limited nutrients to the intestinal mucosa.

Phytogenic Feed Additives:

Also known as PFAs or botanicals, phytogenic feed additives are added to animal diets to improve performance and productivity. Phytogenics include essential oils, spices, and herbs. These are natural growth promoters.

Organic Acids:

These acidifiers help to lower gut pH in the birds, which in turn reduces the presence of pathogenic organisms.

Vitamins and minerals:

These are used to improve growth as well as feed utilisation, which in turn helps in better production. Certain vitamins also have the ability to reduce weight loss in birds caused by heat stress.

Antibiotics:

Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGP) involve the use of antibiotics in poultry feed to improve overall growth and feed conversion. It promotes growth by reducing growth-suppressing metabolites caused by microbes.

But these chemically synthesized antibiotics have certain harmful side effects on poultry, environment as well as consumer health.

Side effects of using antibiotic growth promoter:

• Antibiotic Resistance: Overuse of antibiotics in animals leads to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can spread to humans and animals, making infections harder to treat.
• Public Health Concerns: Resistant bacteria from poultry farms can enter the food chain and environment, posing serious risks to public health.

Spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria:

Ban on Antibiotic Growth Promoters

Due to the above-mentioned reasons, the World Health Organisation (WHO), along with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), encourages the health, agriculture, and veterinary sectors to reduce the injudicious use of antibiotics as growth promoters and further decrease the spread of resistant bacteria. The rapid spread of drug-resistant pathogens as well as the emergence of antibiotic-related environmental pollutants is of global concern. 

Alternatives to Antibiotic Growth Promoters:

To minimize health risks, poultry farmers have great preferences for antibiotic residue-free chicken, resulting in a shift to antibiotic-free broiler meat production around the globe.

The natural antibiotic alternatives, including probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, organic acids, and phytogenics (phytobiotics), including herbs, botanicals, essential oils, and oleoresins, are the feed additives that acquired popularity in the poultry industry following the ban of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs).

An Effective NATURAL GROWTH PROMOTER:

HERBOFLOXIN

It is a promising alternative to antibiotics in poultry. A unique micro-emulsified formulation of phytoactive ingredients such as Thymus vulgaris, Eucalyptus, Syzygium, and Citronella. Our natural formulation not only helps to prevent the antibiotic resistance but also ensures healthy meat production for consumers. Hence, it effectively replaces the antibiotic growth promoters.

How Does Herbofloxin Work?

Gut immune response:

It improves the gut's immune barrier and reduces pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli in the gut. The improved gastrointestinal microclimate favors digestibility and uptake of nutrients.

• Immune stimulant:

Herbofloxin contains phytomolecules with immunomodulatory effects that stimulate immune organs such as the spleen, thymus, and bursa, improving the number and function of lymphocytes, macrophages, and natural killer cells.

• Haematopoietic cell production:

Herbofloxin exhibits a positive effect on the haematopoietic system and improves blood parameters and feed conversion by promoting the activity of digestive enzymes.

• Reduces microbial load:

The addition of Herbofloxin to drinking water supports digestion and metabolism in the body, stimulates the growth and development of a useful microbiome, limits the multiplication and adhesion of pathogens, and changes the morphology and functioning of enterocytes. It also helps to reduce harmful intestinal loads and ultimately prevents meat contamination.

•  Natural growth promoter:

Improves the overall health of poultry by enhancing its nutrient utilization capability.

Benefits:

• Acts as a natural growth promoter in poultry
• Improves gastrointestinal microflora by reducing pathogenic bacteria
• Stimulates immune cell production and immune response
• Improves blood parameters
• Balances the pH of gut

 For Sustainable Antibiotic- Free Production

*References on request