Benefits of probiotics in overall health of poultry

Some of the improved kienyeji chicken breeds in KALRO, Kakamega. [Mumo Munuve, Standard]

In the last decade or so, both the meat and egg consumer markets have undergone significant changes, resulting in increased expectations for safe and antibiotic-free production. Continuous investment over the past years in products that can potentially replace the long tradition of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) has enabled the creation of probiotics, which serve two purposes: improving gut health and reducing antimicrobial resistance.

But what is a probiotic? Many people have described what a probiotic means in the animal farming system. However, in 2001, the WHO (World Health Organisation) decided to provide an official definition of a probiotic to clearly differentiate it from an antibiotic. It states that a probiotic is defined as "live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." In our context, the host is the farm animal.