Use of biologically active feed additives in farm animals feeding
Abstract
Animal feed additives are used worldwide for various livestock species, including poultry, for many reasons, including providing essential nutrients, enhancing feed palatability, improving growth performance, and optimizing feed utilization. Animals with high growth rates require high levels of health, and the use of appropriate additives is a key consideration in such cases. With rising industry standards, heightened consumer awareness, and demand for healthy animal-based foods, the industry is under increasing pressure to find more natural and residue-free alternatives to the traditional feed additives used until recently in animal feed products. Consumer and animal welfare are the primary drivers for valuable alternatives to animal feed additives. Some of the alternatives used as animal feed additives include probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and herbs. This choice of feed additives is supported by scientific and empirical research on these alternatives, as herbs and their extracts (plant components) possess a broad spectrum of activity that can not only stimulate feed intake but also stimulate endogenous secretions and exhibit antimicrobial, coccidiostatic, and anthelmintic activity. The ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters, cost-effectiveness, and increased awareness of harmful residual effects are leading to the increasing importance of plant-based feed additives in sustainable livestock production. The livestock sector benefits from the use of a range of feed additives, such as ascorbic acid, prebiotics, probiotics, and plant extracts.