Whole plant part phytogenics for inflammation balance

By Mickie Metz, PhD
Technical Innovation Research Scientist
Fortiva

Gut inflammation is common throughout poultry production, but its effects are not always visible. Birds deal with stress every day through changes in environment, feed adjustments, handling and exposure to coccidiosis and other intestinal diseases. All of these changes trigger the immune system to send a response to manage the inflammation.

The response is important because it helps the bird recover quickly and return to productive growth. The problem comes when inflammation lasts too long or happens too often. When birds are dealing with ongoing inflammation, nutrients that should be used for growth are redirected to support the immune system, which can reduce weight gain and feed efficiency. The gut lining can also weaken, making it harder for the bird to absorb nutrients properly. Over time, this can lead to uneven growth, lower overall performance and cost inefficiencies.

One of the challenges for poultry production managers is that inflammation is mostly “silent” and hidden. Birds may appear healthy, but performance data, such as feed conversion or growth rate, tell a different story.

Phytogenic solutions to manage inflammation

To help manage inflammation, many poultry nutrition programs include plant-derived feed additives, known as phytogenics. Phytogenic ingredients come from herbs, spices and other plants and are used to help support digestion, gut health and immune function. Some plants, like oregano, have been used for years because of their natural benefits.

Not all plant-derived products work the same way. The market is crowded, and results can vary. Some products are made from single-plant extracts or essential oils, which may target only one part of the problem. In real production conditions, birds face multiple stressors simultaneously, so a multi-mechanism approach is often needed and more effective.

Whole plant parts contain a wide range of natural substances that work together. Rather than relying on a single effect, they can support the bird in several ways at once.

For example, one compound can help strengthen the gut lining, making it more effective at keeping harmful substances out. Another compound can support the balance of good bacteria in the gut, which plays a key role in digestion and overall health. Other plant components can help regulate the immune response, preventing the response from becoming too strong or lasting too long.

The whole point of whole plant parts

When inflammation is better handled, birds are also better able to handle stress, which helps reduce performance swings. Nutritional tools with whole plant parts can help production managers improve feed efficiency and maintain more consistent growth in their operations. These efficiencies all have a bottom-line impact for each complex.

For more information on how Fortiva^® can support your nutrition program, click here.

Editor’s note: Fortiva assumes full responsibility for this article’s accuracy and compliance.

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