Probiotics and Dietary Supplements in Poultry Nutrition
Summary
In modern poultry production, the strategic incorporation of probiotics and dietary supplements has emerged as a pivotal approach to promote bird health, enhance growth performance and mitigate reliance on antibiotic growth promoters. Probiotics, defined as live microorganisms that confer health benefits when administered in sufficient quantities, colonise the gastrointestinal tract and modulate the resident microbiota, bolstering mucosal barrier integrity and stimulating immune responses. Complementary dietary supplements—including prebiotics, organic acids, enzymes and phytogenic compounds—foster nutrient digestibility, regulate gut pH and exert antimicrobial effects. Collectively, these feed additives contribute to improved feed conversion efficiency, reduced pathogen colonisation and attenuation of oxidative and inflammatory stress. The global imperative to curtail antimicrobial resistance has accelerated research into optimised probiotic strains and synergistic supplement combinations that adapt to diverse rearing environments. Advances in molecular profiling of gut ecosystems and omics technologies offer unprecedented insights into host–microbe interactions, guiding the selection of tailored feed formulations. Practical applications span from enhanced performance in broilers and layers to improved egg quality and welfare in indigenous and niche breeds, reinforcing the role of microbial and nutritional interventions in sustainable poultry systems worldwide.
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Probiotics and Dietary Supplements in Poultry Nutrition publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in probiotics and dietary supplements in poultry nutrition across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Probiotic: Live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.
Prebiotic: Non-digestible feed ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth or activity of beneficial gut bacteria.
Feed conversion ratio (FCR): The amount of feed required to produce a unit of weight gain, reflecting production efficiency.
Intestinal barrier function: The ability of the gut epithelium to prevent translocation of pathogens and maintain selective nutrient absorption.
References
- Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Regulates the Keap1/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway to Improve the Intestinal (Caco-2 Cells and Chicken Jejunum) Oxidative Stress Response Induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Antioxidants (2024).
- Lactobacillus plantarum GX17 benefits growth performance and improves functions of intestinal barrier/intestinal flora among yellow-feathered broilers. Frontiers in Immunology (2023).
- Probiotics (Direct-Fed Microbials) in Poultry Nutrition and Their Effects on Nutrient Utilization, Growth and Laying Performance, and Gut Health: A Systematic Review. Animals (2020).
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