Efficient digestion in poultry is essential for achieving optimal production results, as it ensures effective nutrient absorption. However, various factors such as infections, environmental stress, and dietary imbalances can disrupt digestive processes. Since the withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters, there has been increasing interest in herbal extracts for supporting digestive health and enhancing poultry performance.
Herbs like garlic, oregano, onion, and cinnamon have been shown to improve feed digestion, reduce mortality, and promote weight gain. Active compounds such as allicin, thymol, and carvacrol exhibit antimicrobial properties by disrupting bacterial cell walls and membranes, similar to some antibiotics. These natural substances also aid in mitigating indigestion and diarrhea caused by bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections.
Additionally, herbal extracts support liver function, vital for metabolic and detoxification processes. Ingredients like silymarin from milk thistle and cynarin from artichoke enhance hepatocyte regeneration and bile flow regulation, respectively. Antioxidants such as cinnamaldehyde neutralize free radicals, reducing inflammation caused by environmental stress.
Herbs also play a role in preventing metabolic diseases common in intensive poultry production, such as sudden cardiac death and tibial dyschondroplasia. By integrating natural salicylates, vitamins, and minerals into diets, these disorders can be managed effectively.
In conclusion, the use of herbal extracts offers a sustainable alternative to antibiotics, addressing health challenges in poultry production while meeting consumer demands for antibiotic-free meat. Their multifaceted benefits contribute to improved flock health, reduced mortality, and enhanced production efficiency.