Aviagen has unveiled a comprehensive Gut Health Toolkit designed to foster resilient and efficient poultry flocks through improved digestive health.
Why the New Gut Health Toolkit Deserves Your Attention
Here are six key reasons to explore this innovative resource:
Rich in Science-Backed Resources
The toolkit comprises a suite of materials crafted to assist producers in enhancing gut health, wellbeing, sustainability, and performance across their flocks. Key resources include:
- Focus Document – Insights into gut function’s impact on performance, especially in antibiotic-free systems, with practical strategies rooted in research.
- Expert Video – Dr. Richard Bailey shares actionable strategies for enhancing gut integrity.
- Technical Brief – A guide on evaluating gut health enhancement products, such as probiotics and plant extracts.
- Farm Poster – Visual guidance on navigating the chicken’s digestive system with practical advice for each lifecycle stage.
- Interactive On-Farm Guide – A step-by-step approach to implementing gut health best practices from placement to processing.
When utilized together, these resources form a holistic strategy for gut health crucial for antibiotic-free production.
A Practical Guide for Managers
Gut health is influenced by more than just feed; various management practices also play a pivotal role. The toolkit addresses essential factors such as:
- Ventilation and air quality
- Litter condition and moisture
- Feed and water hygiene
- Stress management
- Biosecurity protocols
By focusing on these factors, the toolkit empowers farm teams to make substantial improvements that enhance bird health and productivity.
The Importance of Gut Health
A robust gut goes beyond food digestion; it’s integral to immunity, nutrient absorption, and disease resistance. Approximately 70% of a chicken’s immune cells reside in the gut, underscoring its critical role in overall health. Here’s what a healthy gut accomplishes:
- Efficiently breaks down feed, optimizing nutrient absorption and growth.
- Serves as a protective barrier against pathogens.
- Enhances immune responses, aiding quicker recovery from health challenges.
Weak gut health can result in poor feed conversion and increased disease prevalence, while strong gut health can boost growth, uniformity, and survivability across production systems.
Integral to Balanced Management
Effective gut health requires consistent, thoughtful management practices. The toolkit reinforces essential stockmanship principles, focusing on feed hygiene, ventilation, litter quality, and biosecurity.
Building a resilient digestive system necessitates dedicated care at all stages of production, with the toolkit providing practical actions that result in tangible improvements.
Part of Aviagen’s Focus Series
In response to rising consumer demand for antibiotic-free poultry, Aviagen has launched the Gut Health Toolkit as part of their Focus Series. This is the fourth release in the series aimed at providing actionable insights for better poultry management.
Dr. Vanessa Kretzschmar-McCluskey, Aviagen’s global head of Technical Transfer, states, “This series not only shares knowledge but also empowers producers by equipping them with the practical tools necessary for success as part of our mission to Breed Customer Success.”
