Could tannins be the right dietary alternative for replacing antibiotics as growth promoters in broiler chicken production? A comprehensive microbiota shift assessment in a commercial farm.

ABSTRACT: One of the main global issues in animal production is the antimicrobial use (AMU) as prophylactic additives in diet. Despite the availability of a variety of antibiotic alternative additives, their use is not widespread. In this study, we analyzed samples from a trial conducted on a commercial farm, evaluating cecal and litter microbiota with the inclusion of antibiotics or tannins (as AMU-free alternative) in the diet. We observed differential modulation depending on the additive used. Specifically, tannins treatment led to an increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, due to a rise in Clostridiales order, which is associated with improved gut health and better energy efficiency in birds. Poultry litter microbiota contained typical gastrointestinal tract bacteria, along with pathogenic and

SUBMITTER: Pin Viso N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12148570 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature