Effects of Feed Additives on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health and Resilience of Poultry

Dear Colleagues,

The effects of feed additives on the growth performance, intestinal health, and resilience of poultry are crucial for the success of the poultry industry. Feed additives are substances added to poultry feed to enhance growth, optimize gut health, and improve the birds’ ability to withstand various stressors.

Achieving optimal growth performance is a key goal in poultry production. Feed additives play a vital role in this aspect by improving nutrient utilization, enhancing feed conversion efficiency, and promoting optimal weight gain. These additives help to optimize digestion, absorption, and utilization of nutrients, leading to improved growth rates and higher production efficiency in poultry.

In addition to growth performance, feed additives also have a significant impact on intestinal health. Poultry birds are prone to various intestinal disorders, including bacterial infections, coccidiosis, and enteritis. Such conditions can lead to reduced feed intake, weight loss, and increased mortality rates. Feed additives, particularly those with antimicrobial properties, help to prevent and control these disorders by inhibiting the growth of harmful pathogens, maintaining a balanced gut microbiota, and enhancing the integrity of the intestinal barrier.

Moreover, feed additives contribute to the resilience of poultry by improving their ability to cope with stressors such as heat, disease, and changes in environmental conditions. These additives help to support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and enhance the overall health, making birds more resistant to pathogens and environmental stressors.

In summary, the use of feed additives in poultry nutrition is essential for optimizing growth performance, maintaining intestinal health, and bolstering resilience. They improve nutrient utilization, control pathogens, and enhance the birds’ ability to withstand stressors. However, it is important to use feed additives judiciously, following proper guidelines and regulations, to ensure their efficacy and safety for both poultry and human consumers.

Dr. Weijiang Zheng
Guest Editor

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• growth performance
• intestinal health
• broilers
• layers
• gut microbiota
• chicken
• stress
• bacterial infections
• coccidiosis
• enteritis
• heat stress
• oxidative stress
• mycotoxins