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Review
. 2021 May 31;11(6):1620.
doi: 10.3390/ani11061620.

Overview of the Use of Probiotics in Poultry Production

Katarzyna Krysiak  1 , Damian Konkol  1 , Mariusz Korczyński  1
Affiliations
Review

Overview of the Use of Probiotics in Poultry Production

Katarzyna Krysiak et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

In recent years, probiotics have become more popular in the world of dietary supplements and feed additives within the poultry industry, acting as antibiotic substitutes. Above all, probiotics are universal feed additives that can be used in conjunction with other additives to promote improved performance and health. Their positive effects can be observed directly in the gastrointestinal tract and indirectly in immunomodulation of the poultry immune system. Nutritional effects seen in flocks given probiotics include increased laying and egg quality, increased daily increments, and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR). There has also been an improvement in the quality of meat. This suggests producers can improve production results through the use of probiotics. In addition to these production effects, bird immunity is improved by allowing the organism to better protect itself against pathogens and stress. The lack of accuracy in the formulation of non-European preparations needs to be further developed due to unknown interactions between probiotic bacteria strains as well as their metabolites. The versatility of probiotics and the fact that the bacteria used in their production are an integral part of animal digestive tracts make them a safe feed additives. Despite restrictions from the European Union, probiotics have potential to improve production and health within the poultry industry and beyond. The following article will review the use of probiotics in poultry production.

Keywords: feed additives; microbiota; microorganisms; poultry; probiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Potential pathways of the strategies in progress to reduce avian gut pathogens. Red arrows represent probiotic pathways [14].
Figure 2
Figure 2
The possible mechanisms of probiotic action. (1) Competitive exclusion of pathogenic microorganisms. (2) Production of antimicrobial substances. (3) Competition for growth factors and nutrients. (4) Enhancement of adhesion to intestinal mucosa. (5) Improvement of epithelial barrier function. (6) Improvement of secretion of IgA [86].
Figure 3
Figure 3
The damaging effect of heat stress on intestinal barrier and the pathways for the protective effects of probiotics [86].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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