In 2018, Indonesia banned the use of AGP (antibiotic growth promoters) in poultry, which created a need to find new ways to keep chickens healthy. AGP used to be a popular choice because it was cheap and easy to get. Researchers have been working hard to find alternatives that can help chickens stay healthy naturally. One team called Bioproton has been focused on creating a substitute for AGP to support the digestive health of chickens.

 

At a seminar organized by the Indonesian Poultry Science Society (MIPI) titled 'Feed Additives Increase Productivity, Efficiency of Feed Use and Quality of Poultry Products,' Darwin Horyanto, an Animal Nutritionist from Bioproton, talked about the importance of good gut health for chickens. He mentioned that good gut health is a hot topic because there is a method called biopharmaceuticals that's now cheap and available for all of us to use.

 

Darwin explained that maintaining the right balance of microorganisms in the digestive system is crucial because different parts of the chicken's digestive tract are home to various types of bacteria. For example, in the gizzard, there are bacteria that prefer to break down protein because it is one of the first things chickens digest. Then, as food moves through the small intestine, it encounters different types of bacteria. Finally, in the cecum, it usually encounters Lactobacillus.

 

He also mentioned that these microorganisms are found not only in the digestive system but also in other parts of the chicken's body, like the brain and intestines. These microorganisms are living organisms, and they interact differently with various organs in the chicken's body, providing different benefits.

 

Darwin acknowledged that while there are opportunities with probiotics, there are also challenges. To understand and work with gut microorganisms effectively, researchers need to dig deep and look at the results of each part of the study. They need to figure out which gut microorganisms can be improved and which won't be affected. Understanding the process from the beginning, starting from when chickens are born, is critical. The first few days of a chick's life are especially important because that is when they are most susceptible to changes in their gut microbiota.

 

Just like in humans, the bacteria a chick is exposed to in the first few days can become permanent residents in their digestive system. So, it is essential to create the right conditions for a healthy gut from the very beginning of a chicken's life.