In modern poultry farming, gut health is about productivity, disease resistance, and a bird’s performance. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is not only a site of digestion but also contains a diverse ecosystem with trillions of microorganisms called the gut microbiome. These microbes interact with nutrients directly and enhance their absorption through intestinal villi. The interaction also includes the immune system along with pathogens. Interest in nutritional supplements derived from nature is growing in order to increase the microbiome of the gut.

Why Gut Microbiome Matters in Poultry

The gut microbiome plays a key role in the digestion of food as well as nutrient absorption in poultry. Short-chain fatty acids like butyrate are also produced, which can be a key source of energy for the intestinal cells. The gut microbiome prevents colonization via harmful organisms like Salmonella and Clostridium. Hence, it stimulates the immune system and improves the overall gut structure in poultry. When the gut microbiome is disturbed by external factors like stress, antibiotics, or infections, it leads to dysbiosis. This imbalance can lead to negative effects like growth stunting, diarrhea, and weakened immune function.

The gut microbiome plays a key role in the digestion of food as well as nutrient absorption in poultry. Short-chain fatty acids like butyrate are also produced, which can be a key source of energy for the intestinal cells. The gut microbiome prevents colonization via harmful organisms like Salmonella and Clostridium. Hence, it stimulates the immune system and improves the overall gut structure in poultry. When the gut microbiome is disturbed by external factors like stress, antibiotics, or infections, it leads to dysbiosis. This imbalance can lead to negative effects like growth stunting, diarrhea, and weakened immune function.

A balanced gut microbiome in poultry is necessary for sustainable production and farming that requires no antibiotics. Customer expectations are increasingly prioritizing antibiotic-free poultry along with improved animal welfare. To fulfil this demand, our company, “Vinayak Ingredients Ind. Pvt. Ltd.,” serves various naturally produced feed supplements to enhance the gut health of the poultry.

Solutions offered:

1. Herbofloxin is a promising alternative to antibiotics in poultry. A unique micro-emulsified formulation of phytoactive ingredients. It not only prevents antibiotic resistance but also ensures healthy meat production for consumers.
2. Nucleovin  is packed with nucleotides, probiotics, and vitamin C to help poultry combat stress and grow faster.
3. Vinmos is a prebiotic that supports gut health, boosts immunity, and fights toxins for better poultry growth.

*References on request*

The choline used in commercial broiler feed is an important factor in enhancing growth performance and regulating lipid metabolism. It plays various biological functions in acetylcholine neurotransmitter production in the nervous system, maintenance of cell membranes and organelles, hepatic lipid transport, methyl group donation, and bone cartilage maturation. Its importance in hepatic lipid transport is due to its involvement in phosphatidylcholine synthesis, which forms membranes of cholesterol-carrying lipoproteins (high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein [LDL], and very low-density lipoprotein). It also inhibits fatty acid synthesis by downregulating fatty acid synthase gene expression and attenuating its activity. Choline is called a “lipotropic” factor due to its role in increasing fat utilization, which reduces fat deposition in the body. Young chicks require more quantity of choline, especially during the first few weeks of life, to prevent conditions like perosis and support optimal growth. Laying hens also require choline for egg production and quality.

Synthetic Choline Chloride and Its Limitations

The absence of choline, or levels below the recommendation, increases deleterious effects on poultry health, such as reduction in growth and perosis, especially in younger birds. Choline supplementation is commonly done by synthetic sources, but high hygroscopicity and oxidation with loss of vitamins, its corrosive nature, as well as the trimethylamine formation in the intestinal tract of broilers. Also, less than half of the choline chloride is absorbed by the poultry, which indicates low bioavailability of choline in poultry.

Several studies have explored alternative sources to address these practical issues, particularly plant-based substitutes rich in phosphatidylcholine. Research has been developed to unveil potential substitutes for synthetic sources, and formulations with herbs have been gaining ground with consistent results in hepatoprotective capacity and improvement of performance parameters.

Natural Plant-Based Choline

Plant-based choline sources exhibit the advantage of meeting broilers’ needs with smaller inclusions. Plant sources of commercial use often recommend the inclusion rate of three to five times less raw material compared with choline chloride. They have shown additional benefits, such as reducing serum LDL levels. Being a component of nature, these preparations are considered safe, cost-effective, and environment-friendly with no side effects. They help in the digestion process. Also, their inclusion in the diet is encouraged to enhance the bird’s performance, improve feed utilization, maintain health, and alleviate the adverse effects of environmental stress.

Vincholine, Plant-based Formulation of Enriched Natural Choline for Poultry

Vincholine is a natural choline supplement produced from the blend of Tinospora cordifolia, Andrographis paniculata, and Terminalia chebula in an appropriate ratio. It is recognized in Ayurvedic medicine. It has a high content of choline in its esterified phosphatidylcholine form, free choline, and sphingomyelin with high bioavailability. It can serve as an important alternative to the use of synthetic choline chloride. Results have shown that Vincholine can replace choline chloride in the poultry diets. In field conditions, herbal choline demonstrated better performance than choline chloride in utilizing the energy value of the feed, preventing fatty liver, and consequently improving feed efficiency and production performance.

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In tropical monsoon regions, like India, seasonal changes are a major non-genetic factor influencing poultry production. The rainy season usually causes an increase in humidity and a drop in temperature. Rainfall impacts both the quality and amount of feed, while wind speed can affect disease outbreaks. The chicken industry often faces more difficulties due to disease outbreaks during the monsoon, as it creates ideal conditions for diseases to grow and spread among flocks. As a result, most poultry farmers see high rates of mortality and morbidity during this time.

Product-Based Solutions for Specific Disease Conditions

• Mycotoxicoses:

VINSORB-BIO is a unique combination of high-grade mycotoxin adsorbents and mould inhibitors, as well as antifungal elements, along with lipotropic agents, which makes VINSORB-BIO a very effective mycotoxin binder.

• Coccidiosis:

BIOCOCCIN is a phytogenic coccidiostat that helps to control coccidiosis in poultry.

• Gut-Related Diseases:

DIARRELIF is the mixture of appropriately selected herbs and their blends, which positively reduces diarrhoea in poultry.

• Respiratory Diseases:

MUCOFORT is a natural tonic that ensures the rapid recovery of respiratory issues in poultry.

• Immunosuppression:

NUCLEOVIN is a potential immunomodulator that contains nucleotides, vitamin C, and probiotics that can activate immune system responses.

*References on request*

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a zoonotic disease caused by influenza A viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family, classified by two surface proteins: haemagglutinin (H1–H16) and neuraminidase (N1–N9). These viruses vary in severity; low-pathogenic strains cause mild respiratory issues or reduced egg production, while highly pathogenic strains (HPAI) can lead to severe, often fatal, systemic disease. As per the recent FAO report, there have been 297 reported HPAI outbreaks in animals across five regions, mainly due to H5N1 (254 cases), followed by H5Nx (33), H5N5 (9), and H5N9 (1).

Understanding Transmission

Wild aquatic and migratory birds serve as asymptomatic reservoirs of the Avian Influenza virus. These birds transmit the virus to domestic poultry via contaminated environments, where viral shedding occurs through feces, saliva, and respiratory secretions. They can be further spread through direct contact with secretions from infected poultry, contaminated feed, water, and farm equipment. This results in severe economic and production losses for the farmer. The avian influenza virus has a high survival rate even in low temperatures and harsh environments.

Know the signs of Avian Influenza in your flock          

Diagnosis methods to determine Avian influenza

Avian Influenza cannot be diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs alone; laboratory testing is also important.

• Molecular techniques like reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR), which detect the viral RNA.
• Serological tests such as AGID or ELISA, used to identify antibodies against the virus.
• Genetic sequencing  which helps confirm the virus strain and its pathogenicity.

These tests help distinguish Avian Influenza from other poultry diseases such as Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, or mycoplasmosis.

Controlling the Spread

Avian Influenza control strategies are designed to prevent, manage, or completely eradicate the infection from the farm. The following key measures may play a vital role in effective disease control of Avian influenza-

Biosecurity (Exclusion and Inclusion):

Implementing strict measures to prevent contact between infected or wild birds and healthy poultry via proper fencing, limiting access to poultry farms, and ensuring hygiene practices for visitors and farm surfaces, equipment, and facilities to eliminate potential virus contamination.

Diagnostics and Surveillance:

Regular monitoring of poultry flocks for signs of illness, including testing for the avian influenza virus through sampling and laboratory analysis.

Elimination of AVIAN INFLUENZA Virus-Infected Poultry:

Humanely eliminating infected poultry and safely disposing of carcasses and contaminated materials to prevent further spread of the virus and environmental contamination.

Decreasing Host Susceptibility to the Virus (Vaccines and Host Genetics):

Developing and administering safe and effective vaccines and improving host resistance to the virus through selective breeding programs to protect poultry flocks from infection.

Education of all Personnel on Infectious Diseases and their Control:

Providing comprehensive training to poultry farmers, veterinarians, and other stakeholders involved in poultry production on proper biosecurity practices, disease recognition, and reporting procedures.

*References on request*