Special Edition: Early animal nutrition
The many ways to avoid antibiotics, support chicken growth
When it comes to supporting the growth and development of young chickens, the focus may be on ingredients, like the development of a novel probiotic, or a way to remove antibiotics from the production system – potentially through the use of eubiotic
A research team in the Czech Republic is developing a way to transfer gut microbiota from adult hens or specific gut anaerobes to newly hatched chicks. The process seeks to mimic the transfer young chicks would have were they raised by an older bird.
An international research team from Canada and China has been looking to replace antibiotics by supporting bird gut health with organic acids and essential oils.
However, some researchers are advocating for a larger view of nutrition for young birds. We heard earlier this year about efforts to improve bird production by focusing on the “ecosystem” within the bird.