A novel nutritional strategy in poultry to support healthier foot pads, improving animal welfare and meat production profitability in one
By Dr. Sven Keller, Novus Deutschland GmbH
Foot pad dermatitis, a remaining challenge linked to poultry welfare and profitability Modern broiler production, with its high growth performance targets to be achieved over a short period of time, requires a deep understanding of the animals’ requirements together with an accurate farm management and adequate nutritional program. The slightest deviation can have an effect on health as well as bird performance. The continuous development and optimization of nutritional strategies has become the key for an effective and sustainable production of broiler meat. Footpad dermatitis (FPD), one of the most common challenges in
the broiler and turkey industry, not only has a major impact on the farm profitability, but its level of occurrence and severity is also an increasingly acknowledged indicator of animal welfare. In this context, the European Council Directive 2007/43/EC has set down minimum rules, protecting the welfare of poultry kept for meat production. Today in several European countries such as Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden, strict standards on the flock FPD scores have been defined as part of a national animal welfare assessment program. Most likely, more countries will follow in the near future. As a result and depending on the incidence and severity of footpad dermatitis, extra measurements need to be taken or penalties are given at the slaughter house, which will directly affect the income of the producer. A high incidence of FPD has also a huge impact on bird health. It lowers the growth and general performance of the birds, the result of pain-induced discomfort, less movement and a lower feed and water intake. In addition the lesions can act as an “entrance door” for other potential pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus, increasing the risk of secondary infections or diseases. Foot pad lesions can also be associated with higher downgrades due to breast blisters and, last but not least, there is a significant trade market for chicken paws used in human consumption. Markets like China or Asia only accept high quality feet without lesions or discolorations.
Proper nutrition, a key factor to ensure foot pad health FPD is mainly associated with wet or sticky litters. Any action which has an impact on litter quality will directly affect the incidence and degree of FPD. Optimizing the bedding material and stocking density, correct ventilation, litter and water management are several examples of possible measurements to influence litter quality. Together with an optimal environment for the bird, a healthy intestinal tract through a well-adjusted nutrition helps to reduce or prevent the incidence of FPD
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on a farm. A balanced intestinal microflora assures an optimal nutrient digestibility and reduces the incidence of diarrhea, a prerequisite for maintaining not only a high growth performance but also a good litter quality and low occurrence of FPD. In the past three years, Novus has invested a lot of research in the
development of an innovative feed additive solution to support gut health in broilers. In cooperation with several independent research institutes, commercial farms and feed mills, it was shown that AVIMATRIX® improves feed efficiency, increases bird survivability and performance, as well as enhancing litter quality (lower dryness, better friability) which significantly reduces the incidence of footpad lesions.
Healthier feet through an innovative control of gut health
AVIMATRIX® is a unique, proprietary feed solution, based on a mixture
of flavouring compounds, including benzoic acid, embedded in a protective vegetable fat matrix. Thanks to a newly developed state of the art production process, called Novus Premium Blend Technology, it specifically acts on the lower gut environment to achieve an effective gut flora balance resulting in greater performance and profitability for broiler operations. This technology guarantees the slow and continuous delivery of the active ingredients along the entire digestive tract as proven in an in-feed intestinal model (Fig.1-3). To maintain a stable microbial flora in the digestive tract, it is crucial that the anti-microbial compounds are released at the right place and active under the corresponding pH conditions (Fig.2).
Fig. 1: An illustration of an AVIMATRIX granule, showing the slow release process of its active ingredients throughout the intestinal tract
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