Julia Dvorska

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7 International Poultry Conference - Proceeding

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NATURAL WAY TO INCREASE POULTRY HEALTH AND

PERFORMANCE.
J.E. Dvorska
Fac.ofvet.med., Sumy National Agrarian University, Ukraine
Abstract.
The GI Tract represents the main interface between the harsh external
environment and host metabolism. As a result, the GI Tract is exposed to a
wide range of threats. Changes in diet composition can have major impacts on
GI health, particularly in young animals. To overcome these constant
challenges, the GI Tract has evolved into a very complex organ armed with a
number of defence mechanisms to protect itself. Innate defences produced by
intestinal epithelial cells include a variety of antimicrobial compounds,
cytokines and protective mucus. Antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) limit the
growth of pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella, Campilobacteretc, but they
can inhibit the growth and colonisation of many non-pathogenic species
necessary to digestion. Natural alternatives to AGPs can be effective in
promoting gastrointestinal health. Mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) is
successful in preventing bacterial attachment in the GI Tract by binding
bacteria with a mannose-rich receptor, significantly reducing Salmonella and
E. coli in the caeca of broiler chicks. They can also block the transfer of
antibiotic resistance in Salmonella. In our experiment we studied effect of the
second generation of MOS in poultry (broilers and layers). We found
significantly higher growth rates, lower feed conversion ratios (FCR) and
significant reductions in morbidity and mortality were also evident.
Colonization of gut with Salmonella and Campylobacter was significantly
decreased. Certainly, phasing out AGPs in certain global areas has posed a
problem for maintaining animal health and performance. Fortunately,
alternatives exist, and by studying their effects at a physiological and
molecular level, one can evaluate their effect on key biochemical pathways,
the immune response and energy expenditure.
Introduction
Targeted nutrition means stronger, healthier birds. Everything starts with the
development and maintenanceof the intestine. For a long time it has been
known that the use of carbohydrates isolated from specific yeast play a central
role in modulating immune responses, preserving gut tissue integrity and
eliminating pathogens from the intestine. This growing understanding of the
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3 – 6 November 2014, Ain Sukhna, Red Sea – Egypt -(369)-
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structure and function of carbohydrates opens up new opportunities to use

carbohydrates as functional feed ingredients.
The ban on in-feed antibiotics within the European Union has increased
interest in other feedsupplements to support bird performance.
Materials and methods

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of concentrate of
mannan oligosaccharides- Actigen on performance and gut development in
broilers. 240 male broilers were placed in 48 pens containing 5 birds and were
fed 1 of 4 dietary treatments (12 pens per treatment) from 0 to 42 days post
hatch. The basal diets for each growth phase followed Aviagen guidelines for
bird age and strain. Live weights, feed intakes, and feed conversion ratio
(FCR) were measured on a weekly basis. On day 42, the gastrointestinal (GI)
tract in full was taken from 1 bird per pen with weight closest to the pen
average. The weight of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were measured. To
determine whether Actigen™ (Alltech Inc.), administered through the
feedfrom day-of-hatch, is able to alter the cecalCampylobacter jejuni,
Salmonella spcolonizationthreshold of broiler chickens.
Results
Actigen supplementation was associated with increased live weight compared
with the control. Actigen (200 g/t or 800 g/t) in weeks 1 and 2 was associated
with improved (P<0.05) FCR compared with the control. Actigen (200 g/t)
was associated with lower (P<0.05) relative duodenum weight compared with
the control. The performance effects of Actigen were age-dependent with
younger birds responding more than older birds, possibly because the gut
microfloraof younger birds is more transient and less mature. Dietary
supplementation with Actigen may increase the rate of gut maturation leading
to improved performance whilst concurrently reducing the relative weight of
the small intestine.Actigen in feed from day-of-hatch decreased the number of
C. jejuniand Salmonella sp, positivebirds, indicating a higher number of viable
C. jejuni and Salmonella cells were needed toestablish a Campylobacter,
Salmonella -positive flock.
References
1.Haese D., Kill J.L., PuppoD.Del., Lacerida E.D.G., Vasconcellos R.S., Lenz
D., De Souza E.O. 2011. Effects of Actigen and an AGP program on broiler
performance under heat stress and health stress conditions. Poster, Alltech
27th Symposium, Lexington, KY, USA.
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2. Mathis G., Lumpkins B., Pierce J., Hooge D. 2012. Effects of Dietary
Antibiotics, Actigen Yeast Cell Wall Derivative,
or Both on Broiler Chicken Live Performance in a Fifty-Two Day Pen Trial on
Built-up Litter. J. Poult.Sci., 49: 312-317.
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th

7 International Poultry Conference - Proceeding

NATURAL WAY TO INCREASE POULTRY HEALTH AND

structure and function of carbohydrates opens up new opportunities to use

Materials and methods

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