Gut Health Parts 1-3
This article contains parts 1-3 of a 4 part series featuring Jeff Mattocks Facebook post titled “Gut Health Is Everything” in the Poultry Breeder Nutrition group.
“Gut health has become something of a buzzword these days, and it’s gaining popularity quickly. I find it ironic that mainstream thinking is only now catching up. The most truthful statement you’ll ever hear is this: the health of the gut (digestive tract) is the health of the chicken, person, or any living organism, from the smallest bacteria in the soil to the largest animal you can imagine.
But here’s the problem: most people don’t really understand what that means. For years, the focus was only on probiotics. Now, the term probiotic is fading, and the correct terminology, Direct-Fed Microbials (DFMs), is being used. Then came prebiotics. Some people talk about digestive enzymes. If you’re confused, you’re not alone. There’s a lot of marketing glitz designed to make you feel like you need these products. But do you?
If you supplement too many things at once, or if you combine wormers and antibiotics at the same time, you can create what I call a gut bomb. So, let’s dive deeper into what gut health really means.
Let’s unveil some facts you may not have heard before. What kinds of organisms live naturally and in balance in your chicken’s digestive tract? Hang on to your hats—this may be mind-blowing.
In a healthy, functioning poultry digestive tract, you will find: parasite eggs, coccidiosis, E. coli, salmonella, clostridium, nematodes, lactobacillus, bacillus, non-pathogenic Campylobacter, and more. There are millions of living organisms in a healthy chicken gut. Don’t believe me? Look it up—I’m not making this stuff up.
All these organisms coexist harmoniously in a balanced system. It’s all about the balance—a little of this, a little of that. None of them get out of hand and cause problems unless something upsets the balance.
So when you hear, “These bacteria killed my chicken,” or “I lost chicks to coccidiosis,” you might be missing the underlying issue. These hostile takeovers by bad bacteria or coccidiosis usually happen due to stress, from sudden feed changes, bad weather, predator pressure, or even just a new dog in the yard. Worse still, stress can come from worming, antibiotics, or other so-called "preventative" treatments.
The keyword there is “think”, as in treatments you think are preventative may actually be harming your flock. That’s the honest truth.
Yes, I said it: coccidiosis and worm eggs are normal in a chicken’s digestive tract. If you take a manure sample to your vet for a fecal float exam—or learn to do it yourself (it’s easy)—you should find 40–60 oocysts (coccidia eggs) and 40–60 parasite eggs per gram of manure. That’s both normal and safe.
If a manure sample has fewer than 40 oocysts or eggs per gram, I worry the bird may be unhealthy. Something else may be off in the digestive system. If the count is over 60, then it’s time to make a plan. But that doesn’t always mean you need a wormer or Corid. It may mean cleaning the coop, moving birds to a new area, or treating the ground with lime or fresh bedding.
Zero oocysts or eggs is a red flag, and 100 or more is too high. Anything in between can usually be managed with environmental improvements.
DFMs—also known as probiotics—are excellent when used properly. That means the right amount, not more. Most high-end poultry feeds already include DFMs. Cheap or low-quality feeds usually do not because these additives are expensive. Including DFM strains can add about $0.25 to $0.50 per bag, depending on type and concentration.
So, what DFM names should you look for? Keep an eye out for:
Lactobacillus
Bacillus
Enterococcus faecium
Aspergillus niger fermentation
Pediococcus strains
Ignore claims like “special proprietary strains made just for our brand.” There are only a few companies producing microbial strains for the whole market. Don’t waste your money, more probiotics is not always better."