Alternatives to antibiotics for maximizing growth performance and feed efficiency in poultry: a review

Abstract

With the increase in regulations regarding the use of antibiotic growth promoters and the rise in consumer demand for poultry products from 'Raised Without Antibiotics' or 'No Antibiotics Ever' flocks, the quest for alternative products or approaches has intensified in recent years. A great deal of research has focused on the development of antibiotic alternatives to maintain or improve poultry health and performance. This review describes the potential for the various alternatives available to increase animal productivity and help poultry perform to their genetic potential under existing commercial conditions. The classes of alternatives described include probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, organic acids, enzymes, phytogenics, antimicrobial peptides, hyperimmune egg antibodies, bacteriophages, clay, and metals. A brief description of the mechanism of action, efficacy, and advantages and disadvantages of their uses are also presented. Though the beneficial effects of many of the alternatives developed have been well demonstrated, the general consensus is that these products lack consistency and the results vary greatly from farm to farm. Furthermore, their mode of action needs to be better defined. Optimal combinations of various alternatives coupled with good management and husbandry practices will be the key to maximize performance and maintain animal productivity, while we move forward with the ultimate goal of reducing antibiotic use in the animal industry.

Role of acidifiers in livestock nutrition and health: A review

“…The immune system plays a key role in regulating the bird's health (Gadde, Kim, Oh, & Lillehoj, ; Yan et al, ). In this trend, the use of acidifiers in the poultry diets plays a critical role in enhancing the immunity system ((Dibner & Buttin, , ).…”

Effects of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens ) larvae meal protein as a fishmeal replacement on the growth and immune index of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco )

“…Some researchers found no negative impacts in feeding fish with BFSL instead of FM (Bondari & Sheppard, ; Sealey et al., ; St‐Hilaire, Sheppard, et al., ). Another interesting aspect about BSFL is their antibacterial activity (Elhag et al., ; Erickson, Islam, Sheppard, Liao, & Doyle, ; Liu, Tomberlin, Brady, Sanford, & Yu, ; Park, Chang, & Yoe, , ), which may increase the immunity and growth similarly to dietary antibiotics in low, sub‐therapeutic doses (Gadde, Kim, Oh, & Lillehoj, ).…”

“…Another interesting aspect about BSFL is their antibacterial activity (Elhag et al, 2017;Erickson, Islam, Sheppard, Liao, & Doyle, 2004;Liu, Tomberlin, Brady, Sanford, & Yu, 2008;Park, Chang, & Yoe, 2014, which may increase the immunity and growth similarly to dietary antibiotics in low, sub-therapeutic doses (Gadde, Kim, Oh, & Lillehoj, 2017).…”

Galacto-oligosaccharides modulate the juvenile gut microbiome and innate immunity to improve broiler chicken performance

“…To mitigate the effect of antimicrobial reduction a variety of strategies has been evaluated (8). These include the addition of dietary prebiotic (9,10), phytobiotic dietary additives (11), the incorporation of beneficial enzymes in poultry feed (12), and the administration of live probiotic bacteria in various combinations of the above (7,13). Recent developments in sequencing technologies have led to a greater understanding of mechanisms and effects of these treatments on the gut microbiota and the interaction with host-related functions involved in intestinal health (14,15).…”