{"id":47759,"date":"2025-09-22T11:33:34","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T09:33:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nutrex.eu\/insights\/the-challenge-and-management-of-broiler-intestinal-health-in-a-reduced-antibiotic-era\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T09:34:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T08:34:22","slug":"the-challenge-and-management-of-broiler-intestinal-health-in-a-reduced-antibiotic-era","status":"publish","type":"insights","link":"https:\/\/www.nutrex.eu\/en-eu\/insights\/the-challenge-and-management-of-broiler-intestinal-health-in-a-reduced-antibiotic-era\/","title":{"rendered":"The challenge and management of broiler intestinal health in a reduced-antibiotic era"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Why is broiler intestinal health the key to reducing gut disorders in poultry production?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Maintaining good intestinal health is important in transforming feed into meat and protecting farmers\u2019 margins<\/em><\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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When broiler intestinal health fails, so does performance!<\/b><\/p> Margins are tight. Pressure is high.<\/h2>\n \n

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Chicken meat<\/strong>\u00a0has become one of the most\u00a0sustainable<\/strong>\u00a0types of animal protein<\/strong>, thanks to exceptional production efficiency. Broilers require less feed, land, and water per kilogram of meat compared to other livestock, <\/strong>making the industry both profitable and resource-efficient.<\/p>\n

Yes, despite these advantages, modern poultry production faces razor-thin margins and growing challenges<\/strong>. Intestinal health disorders such as coccidiosis and dysbiosis<\/strong> remain major threats, driving down growth and feed efficiency while increasing costs<\/strong>. The reduction in routine antibiotic use has further exposed flocks to enteric diseases and bacterial overgrowth, including necrotic enteritis.<\/p>\n

To protect intestinal health, producers are adopting comprehensive strategies<\/strong>: stronger biosecurity, targeted vaccination, precision nutrition, and functional feed supplements. Regular monitoring of gut health indicators allow for timely intervention – ensuring broiler performance, profitability, and long-term sustainability without overreliance on antibiotics<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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New challenges in broiler production: managing intestinal health without antibiotics<\/h2>\n \n
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The reduction<\/strong>\u00a0or complete\u00a0ban<\/strong>\u00a0on\u00a0antimicrobial use<\/strong> in poultry production has led to re-emergence of diseases and conditions <\/strong>that were once rare or overlooked.<\/p>\n

In broilers<\/strong>, the majority of these challenges are linked to intestinal health<\/strong>, with disruptions in gut balance driving significant performance and welfare issues<\/strong>. Today, around 60% of therapeutic antibiotic use in broilers is still tied to the management of intestinal disorders – highlighting the critical need for alternative strategies to safeguard gut integrity and maintain productivity.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The broiler\u2019s digestive system

The avian digestive tract has a distinctive structure that efficiently processes and absorbs nutrients<\/b>.
Broilers have been genetically selected for high feed intake to support high growth rates, requiring a digestive system
that can effectively handle and absorb large quantities of feed.<\/p><\/h2>\n \n

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The digestive tract consists of<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n