How can egg production be antibiotic-free?

There are four factors that work so that fewer antibiotics are needed. Know what they are and how to limit the use of antibiotics to specific situations.

Ruiz B 90x90 Headshot
Doctors Simone Schaumberger, Antonia Tacconi, Michael Noonan and Daniel Petri, from Biomin, spoke about the holistic approach to replace antibiotics in layers. | Photo by Benjamín Ruiz
Doctors Simone Schaumberger, Antonia Tacconi, Michael Noonan and Daniel Petri, from Biomin, spoke about the holistic approach to replace antibiotics in layers. | Photo by Benjamín Ruiz

With presentations ranging from changes, trends and developments in the egg market; feeding pullets for intestinal health; the importance of biosecurity and hygiene in an antibiotic-reduced world; health and vaccination, as well as managing the change from cages to alternative systems, Biomin hosted the seminar, "Solving the antibiotic-free production puzzle" (as part of the series of Antibiotic Free Days Poultry Focus) in Vienna, Austria, on February 26-28, to give the egg producer ideas of how to go that way.

It is not about eliminating antibiotics on a whim, speakers at the event said. It is about preserving these compounds so that they can protect health when they are needed and continue to save lives. In the case of animal production, it is about working with nutrition and with feed additives in the promotion of growth. In prevention, antibiotics will no longer play a leading role; instead, biosecurity and vaccination will. Antibiotics are only to work in some cases in prevention, but mainly in disease treatment.

In this way to follow, there are several obstacles to overcome, which also affect production with antibiotics. But in the absence of the defense of these compounds, what can be done?

There are four main areas:

1. Mycotoxins

Remember that these toxic compounds have a first contact in the small intestine, where 70 percent of the immune system resides. There, mycotoxins such as DON or fumonisin affect the size and surface of the intestinal villi, which therefore affects nutrient intake, in addition to reducing vaccine titres. Also, there is a high predisposition to necrotic enteritis.

2. Probiotics

Experts recommend starting from the newborn pullets at the beginning of the immune system development. Probiotics stabilize the intestinal microbiota. With them, the critical role of competitive exclusion comes into play, in the case of colonization, in addition to other benefits.

3. Phytogenics

With these compounds goes the path leads to a less stressed intestine, reduces intestinal inflammation, increases the utilization of nutrients and the protection of this organ. In this way, there are less risks of diarrhea, welfare is improved, as well as increasing stocking density and production.

4. Organic acids

With their antimicrobial activity and the modulation of microbiota, they help to fight bacteria, such as, for example, Salmonella or E. coli.

These factors work so that less antibiotics are needed. However, you can not expect that by eliminating antibiotics and replacing them with alternative products, that everything will work as before. A holistic approach is needed. This also means making combinations of different products, as has already been done in countries like Brazil, for example.

Page 1 of 1576
Next Page