Specific plant fibers can improve poultry gut health and growth performance
In short: Researchers reviewing poultry nutrition found that while many high-fiber feed ingredients are difficult for birds to digest, specific types of fibers—particularly oligosaccharides—can act as prebiotics. These fibers support the gut microbiome, enhance intestinal health, and improve growth performance, offering a potential way to maintain healthy livestock without using antibiotic growth promoters.
The study highlights a shift toward using non-starch polysaccharides and enzymes to improve feed efficiency while reducing reliance on antibiotics. By promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids and modulating immunity, these fibers help birds better utilize nutrients from low-cost, fibrous ingredients.
This review synthesized existing research and included a meta-analysis of studies on enzyme use. However, because it is a review of existing literature, the findings depend on the quality and consistency of the original studies included.
Why it matters: Understanding which specific fibers support gut health can help producers create more efficient, antibiotic-free feed for livestock.
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