Maximising young hen performance with probiotics
In commercial poultry production, maintaining optimal pullet health is essential for maximising the performance of modern laying hens. With growing emphasis on animal welfare, reduced antibiotic use, and the global shift away from cage-based systems, there is increasing interest in feed supplements that enhance health and productivity.
Probiotics have emerged as a sustainable, safe, and effective solution, aligning with consumer demand for natural, antibiotic-free poultry products. Among these, Bacillus spores are widely used due to their resilience to harsh environmental and feed processing conditions. Once germinated in the intestine, Bacillus bacteria produce a variety of metabolites that support hen health and performance, contributing to more sustainable and profitable egg production. The specific benefits depend on the strain’s genetic profile, making in vivo evaluation essential to understand each probiotic’s mode of action and practical application.
One such probiotic, Bacillus subtilis DSM29784 (Bs29784, Alterion NE, produced by Adisseo, France), is commercially available in several regions and has proven effective in increasing the productivity of both broilers and layers.
To explore its strain-specific mechanisms, Neijat and colleagues at the University of Guelph in Canada conducted a series of studies on Shaver White hens, focusing on pullets and the early laying phase, giving its importance on subsequent laying performance. Their research assessed production metrics, digestive parameters, and intestinal biomarkers in birds fed Bs29784.
Getting off to a good start
During the grower phase (weeks 5-10), birds fed Bs29784 diets showed accelerated growth, which continued into the developer phase, with notable body weight improvements in weeks 11-12. Consistent weight gain in pullets is vital for long-term productivity and overall health. It promotes flock uniformity, which is key for efficient feed management, vaccination, and synchronised onset of lay. Additionally, it supports healthy bone development, crucial for calcium storage during egg production and for preventing osteoporosis and fractures later in life. Higher body weight also enhances resilience to health challenges, particularly during the stressful transition from pullet to laying houses.
Interestingly, the increased body weight in Bs29784-fed birds was achieved with lower feed intake during the grower phase, resulting in a significantly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR). Notably, the difference in feed intake between the final week of the grower diet (week 10) and the first week of the developer diet (week 11) decreased linearly with higher probiotic inclusion levels. This suggests that the gut-modulating effects of the probiotic may facilitate smoother adaptation to dietary changes during feed transitions.
The underlying modes of action of Bs29784
During the grower (weeks 5-10), developer (weeks 11-16), and early laying phases (weeks 19-28), birds fed Bs29784 demonstrated superior retention of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, non-digestible fibres, and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) compared to control birds (Table 1, Figure 1). Excreta moisture levels also tended to decrease in these hens. These data indicate that Bs29784 improved nutrient utilisation, likely by creating a healthier and more performant intestinal environment.
To further explore gut health, caecal microbiota composition was analysed across treatment groups as a marker for gut health. Principal component analysis revealed distinct microbial clustering in Bs29784-supplemented birds. Probiotic inclusion was associated with an enrichment of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing genera such as Butyricimonas, Faecalibacterium, and Butyricicoccus. This correlated with elevated caecal concentrations of SCFAs like propionate but also lactic acid, suggesting enhanced hindgut fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates.
In summary, Bs29784 supplementation to young hens modulates the caecal microbiota, boosts SCFA production, and improves nutrient retention, ultimately leading to better growth and performance.
Improving eggshell quality
To assess whether Bs29784 also enhances performance in older laying hens, a trial was conducted at the Federal University of Paraíba in Brazil where the probiotic was added to the diets of Hy-Line W80 layers from weeks 45-65 of age.
Analysis of egg quality during this period showed that Bs29784 supplementation significantly increased egg weight and eggshell thickness, while reducing the number of cracked or broken eggs and lowering the percentage of dirty eggs (Table 2).
General conclusion
In summary, research has shown that supplementing pullet diets with Bs29784 enhances digestive performance and is associated with beneficial gut microbiota markers. In older hens, it strengthens eggshell quality.
This evidence highlights Bs29784’s potential to support both health and productivity, making it a valuable tool for ensuring profitability in modern egg production systems.
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