spores and no demixing of the product in feeds or premixes, even after storage.
Resilience Tests were also carried out to select the strain with the most efficient germination characteristics. Bacillus subtilis DSM 29784’s unique stability and timely germination ensure consistent activity in the intestine, where it produces metabolites and acts at three levels: • on the microbiota – creating a beneficial balance in the microbial populations and functions
• on the intestinal wall – improving the gut barrier function, the size of the villi and the absorption of nutrients
• on the immune system – controlling the inflammatory response
Reliable results Although it is important to test additives at research institutes, it is also essential, for poultry producers, that products perform consistently under commercial conditions. Bacillus subtilis DSM 29784 was fed to broilers on three farms that belong to a French poultry production organisation, over four consecutive cycles. These three farms were selected from among the top 30% of performing farms. The bacterial enteritis and coccidiosis scoring performed on these farms confirmed that all the flocks had a good health status. When performance was already excellent, the data showed that FCR (standardised to 1.85 kg of the body weight) was on average improved by 3 points and liveweight by 6.5 grams when the birds were fed Alterion (Table 1). Such improvements in performance led to a 2% better European Broiler Index (EBI) and a 0.54 € /m²
gross
margin. A foot pad dermatitis (FPD) scoring system is used by slaughterhouses, along with other carcass quality measures, to evaluate the welfare of broiler flocks. The addition of Bacillus subtilis DSM 29784 reduced the level of severe FPD scores by over 10%, which resulted in a higher carcass value for the producers (Figure 1). There was a significant reduction in the cloacal presence of Enterococcus cecorum and a tendency toward a reduced Proteobacteria-to-Firmicutes ratio, thus indicating a more balanced microbiota, with a greater proportion of butyrate producing bacteria. The consistency of these positive results has been backed up by studies on commercial farms in Hungary, Russia and Poland. In all three trials, broilers fed Alterion showed a better FCR and overall performance (Figure 2). EBI standardises and compares technical results: feed conversion, mortality, and daily gain. The evaluation incorporated data from over 1,200,000 birds and showed a consistent improvement in performance under a variety of field conditions.
Consistent solution Bacillus subtilis DSM 29784 helps animals face external challenges, maintains physiological homeostasis, and helps
12 ▶ ANTIBIOTIC REDUCTION | DECEMBER 2021
to ensure their resilience. By reducing the impacts of stress on an animal, the energy from the feed is used more for growth, instead of being diverted to the immune system. This means better growth rates and better feed utilisation, but also a saving of resources. The product meets the challenge of consistency in the performance of alternative feed additives, which is required because of the rise in ABF poultry production. The results of the field trials support Alterion’s consistency to a great extent. The product also leads to a reduction in foot pad dermatitis, a welfare issue that is linked to a better control of gut health parameters. This probiotic solution enhances animal resilience by acting on three lines of defence (microbiota, gut barrier and immunity), thus ensuring a consistently improved performance. Trying to keep poultry as healthy as possible reduces the need for antibiotics and improves their welfare. The consistent mix and consistent action of the product makes it a reliable alternative for the responsible use of ATB, and for a wider sustainability of poultry production.
*External survey, reference available upon request
Figure 1 - Alterion reduced severe foot pad dermatitis scores in broilers under commercial conditions.
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
0% <30% <30% 50-70 >70%
Pododermatitis lesions were evaluated at a slaughter level as the % of the birds of the flock that showed severe FPD lesions. The obtained % is the proportion of birds from the flock that showed less than 30%, 30 to 50%,50 to 70% and over 70% severe FPD lesions.
FPD score Control Alterion
Figure 2 - Comparison showing consistent performance improvements in broilers fed Alterion in field trials.
–4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4
3.1 2.6 3.43
Russia
Hungary
Poland –1.2 –2.4 –3.2 EBI FCR
% relative to control
% of flocks
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