To fulfil the increasing demands of the exploding world population, new poultry breeds have been selected and genetically improved for faster growth rates, higher body weights, and increased egg production.

Such birds are supplemented with high-energy feeds, flooded with antibiotics, coccidiostats, and chemical preparations since their first day of life, and are usually kept under stress in overcrowded cages or yards. These factors frequently result in increased health issues such as fatty liver in egg layers and coccidiosis in broilers — all of which make it difficult to balance cost efficiency and farm profitability with the birds’ welfare.

Fortunately, most of these problems can be minimized through well-adapted feeding and management systems. For instance, adjusting a flock’s housing conditions decreases respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders, while good ventilation and continuous water supply will decrease bird mortality in hot summers.

In addition, strict hygienic measures reduce the prevalence of coccidiosis, while a balanced nutritional program helps prevent fatty liver and metabolic disorders. Carefully selecting feed additives and supplementing with nutraceuticals make the difference in the flock’s health and farm profitability.