Feed accounts for the largest share of poultry production costs, making feed efficiency and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) two of the most important performance indicators for producers. While genetics, management, and nutrition all influence these outcomes, maintaining a healthy digestive system is equally important.

This is where probiotics in poultry play a valuable role. By supporting a balanced gut microbiota, improving nutrient utilization, and promoting digestive health, probiotics help birds make better use of the feed they consume. Modern poultry production increasingly focuses on gut health strategies that improve productivity while maintaining flock performance.

In this blog, we’ll explore how probiotics in poultry contribute to better feed efficiency and how ABTL Enzymes offers scientifically developed probiotic solutions to support modern poultry operations.

Understanding Feed Efficiency and FCR in Poultry

Feed efficiency refers to how effectively birds convert feed nutrients into body weight, egg production, or overall performance.

Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) measures the amount of feed required to produce one unit of body weight. A lower FCR generally indicates better feed utilization and improved production efficiency.

Several factors influence FCR, including:

• Gut microbial balance
• Nutrient digestibility
• Feed quality
• Environmental stress
• Bird health
• Intestinal integrity

Even when birds receive nutritionally balanced feed, poor gut health may limit nutrient absorption, reducing overall production performance.

How Probiotics in Poultry Support Better Feed Utilization

The poultry gut contains a complex microbial ecosystem that influences digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health. When beneficial microorganisms dominate this environment, birds are better equipped to utilize nutrients from feed.

Probiotics in poultry help by supporting the development of beneficial gut microflora, maintaining microbial balance, and promoting a healthier intestinal environment.

Some important ways probiotics support feed utilization include:

• Supporting balanced gut microbiota
• Improving nutrient digestibility
• Enhancing digestive enzyme activity
• Strengthening intestinal barrier function
• Promoting a healthier digestive environment

Together, these mechanisms help birds utilize feed more efficiently throughout different production stages.

Why Gut Health Directly Influences FCR

A healthy intestine performs much more than digestion. It also supports nutrient absorption, immune function, and protection against undesirable microorganisms.

When gut integrity is maintained:

• Nutrients are absorbed more efficiently.
• Beneficial microbes help maintain microbial balance.
• Digestive processes remain more effective.
• Birds can better utilize available feed nutrients.

As a result, maintaining gut health becomes an important nutritional strategy for supporting improved production efficiency and consistent flock performance.

CosBac™ – A Multi-Species Synbiotic for Total Gut Health

Among the probiotic solutions offered by ABTL Enzymes, CosBac™ is designed as a multi-species poultry-specific synbiotic that combines carefully selected probiotic microorganisms with prebiotics to promote the development of beneficial gut microflora.

Key features of CosBac™

• Multi-species synbiotic formulation
• Supports beneficial gut microbiota
• Available in feed and water-soluble forms
• Survives pelleting temperatures and challenging gut conditions
• Compatible with AGPs, coccidiostats, and acidifiers
• Contains non-GMO probiotic strains selected for poultry production.

How CosBac™ Supports Feed Efficiency

According to the product literature, CosBac™ works through multiple complementary mechanisms that contribute to digestive performance.

These include:

• Production of digestive enzymes such as amylase, protease, and lipase to support digestion of complex feed molecules.
• Production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and beneficial metabolites that help maintain a healthy intestinal environment.
• Support for intestinal barrier integrity.
• Promotion of immune modulation through improved IgA production and cytokine responses.
• Improvement in villus development, helping maximize nutrient absorption.

The literature also highlights positive effects on body weight gain, feed conversion, gut microbiota development, and reduced incidence of wet litter and early chick mortality.

Bactalis™ – A Gut Health Stabilizer for Improved Performance

Bactalis™ is another probiotic solution from ABTL Enzymes, developed using proprietary Bacillus subtilis spores that are naturally occurring and thermostable for poultry feed applications.

Key features of Bactalis™

• Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic
• Thermostable spores that tolerate pelleting conditions
• Efficient germination inside the digestive tract
• Supports gut microbiota balance
• Compatible with antimicrobials
• Better acid and bile tolerance for improved stability.

How Bactalis™ Supports Better FCR

The product works by supporting a healthier digestive environment through multiple biological mechanisms.

Its documented functions include:

• Producing digestive enzymes that improve nutrient digestibility.
• Producing beneficial metabolites, including SCFAs.
• Supporting positive gut microbial balance.
• Helping maintain intestinal health.
• Supporting body weight gain and improved feed conversion.

This also includes field trial data demonstrating improvements in FCR, body weight, and mortality under evaluated production conditions.

CosBac™ vs Bactalis™ – At a Glance

Why Choose ABTL Enzymes for Poultry Probiotics?

ABTL Enzymes develops scientifically designed probiotic solutions that support gut health, nutrient utilization, and production efficiency in poultry. Its product portfolio is developed to address practical challenges faced by modern poultry producers while focusing on digestive health and consistent flock performance.

Whether the requirement is a multi-species synbiotic like CosBac™ or a Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic such as Bactalis™, ABTL Enzymes offers targeted solutions that help producers build a stronger foundation for feed efficiency and overall productivity.

FAQs

Why are probiotics important in poultry production?
Probiotics in poultry help maintain a balanced gut microbiota, support digestive health, improve nutrient utilization, and contribute to overall flock performance.

How do probiotics influence Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)?
By supporting digestion, nutrient absorption, and gut integrity, probiotics help birds utilize feed more efficiently, which contributes to improved FCR.

What is the difference between CosBac™ and Bactalis™?
CosBac™ is a multi-species synbiotic that combines probiotics with prebiotics, while Bactalis™ is based on proprietary Bacillus subtilis spores for gut health stabilization.

Can CosBac™ be used in different application methods?
Yes. According to the product information, CosBac™ is available in both feed and water-soluble forms.

Does Bactalis™ tolerate feed processing conditions?
Yes. Bactalis™ contains thermostable Bacillus subtilis spores designed to withstand pelleting and challenging gut conditions.

How does ABTL Enzymes support poultry nutrition?
ABTL Enzymes offers scientifically developed probiotic solutions that support gut health, feed utilization, and production efficiency for modern poultry operations.