Given the many variables that can affect flock health at any phase of the production cycle, poultry nutritionists and veterinarians face the ongoing challenge to maintain health and productivity through the use of feed additive “antibiotic alternative” solutions.
 
However, according 40% of respondents to Feed Strategy’s 2021 Poultry Feed & Nutrition survey, the inconsistent results they have experienced with feed additives alternatives ranks as their No. 1 challenge in making the transition.

 
Preventative treatment costs more money up front “because you’re worried about treating the birds if the health is compromised, but if you have to treat the birds, that’s going to change your kill schedule and that causes your product to be sold under a different label for the company.
 

Research evaluation

• Proof of concept

Beyond a proposed mode of action, make sure the study proves it works in the areas where claims are made, e.g., a gut health product research includes scoring of the intestines, either in a challenge model or not, and shows improvements.

• Interactions

Watch for potential interactions between different ingredients, which can have some antagonistic effects.

“Do some in-house, in vitro testing, at least, to see if there are any kind of potential interactions that may exist. Or, you know, even in vivo, that would be great,” she said.