Poultry farming is undergoing a gradual but important transition. For decades, antibiotics were used both for treatment and to support productivity. However, the rise of bacterial resistance to drugs is forcing producers to look for new solutions. As a result, a biotech direction has emerged aimed at preserving animal health and high production efficiency without constant antibiotic use.
The focus is on probiotics, prebiotics, fermented feed, plant extracts and other biotechnological solutions designed to improve the state of the gut microbiome.
One of the newest developments was a study by Cornell University and Arizona State University. The researchers examined the possibility of using grape pomace — the remains of skins, seeds and pulp after wine and juice production — as an alternative to feed antibiotics.
In an experiment with broiler chickens, adding just 0.5% grape pomace to the diet noticeably improved weight gain in the birds. By several measures, the effect was comparable to that of an antibiotic. Fermented pomace also helped restore the balance of the gut microbiota, reduce the number of potentially harmful bacteria and increase the production of butyrate, which plays an important role in gut health.
The study has so far been conducted in laboratory conditions and requires further work. Still, the trend itself appears highly indicative. Modern biotech is increasingly seeking solutions not in creating new drugs, but in a deeper understanding of the interaction between nutrition, microbiota and animal health.
