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Avi-Culture™
avian
specific probiotic
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WHY
USE PROBIOTICS?
Specifically Avian Specific Probiotic, Avi-Culture™
A
bird’s normal bacterial flora develops an effective defense mechanism
against infection and illness. The end result is a healthy, viable intestinal
lining that can maintain optimal nutrient absorption capabilities and
ultimately fight disease.
These
new species-specific probiotics can supply nutrients to the host, aid
in digestion and produce better food conversion. They will help keep disease
causing microorganisms in check by producing antibacterial agents and
enzymes that act on and kill many pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Probiotics
help neutralize toxins produced by pathogenic bacteria and produce a wide
range of B-vitamins and beneficial enzymes.
Birds
can be plagued by chlamydial, fungal, viral and parasitic diseases. Nutritional
deficiencies, a less than ideal environment, and other stressors can and
will lower a birds defense system allowing infectious agents to take hold.
The most important aspect of disease control is prevention. As we all
know many diseases can be prevented by proper planning, quarantine, cleanliness,
pest control and husbandry practices. It is believed that almost any form
of stress can change this balance of microflora and precipitate a disease
situation. However, in a healthy bird, the normal flora has the ability
to combat any possible imbalance or infection. Routine probiotic therapy
can help in the prevention of disease in the aviary and nursery.
Probiotics is Defined as:
Live microbial feed supplements, which beneficially affect the host animal
by improving its intestinal microbial balance. Antibiotics and other related
compounds are not included in this definition. Probiotic is a term used
to denote this naturally occurring group of organisms that is the beneficial
"friendly" flora. The two dominant strains of probiotic microflora
are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Bifidobacterium
bifidum inhibits the growth of E. coli in the small intestine and Lactobacillus
acidophilus is an significant probiotic that inhabits the GI tract of
humans and animals, including birds.
Beneficial Bacteria:
This "beneficial bacteria" create an acidic environment that
inhibits the intestinal growth of pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and fungi.
Probiotics do produce a natural antibiotic-like substance called bactericine,
which helps to eliminate unwanted coliforms. Thus, a bird’s normal
bacterial flora develops an effective defense mechanism against infection
and illness. The end result is a healthy, viable intestinal lining that
can maintain optimal nutrient absorption capabilities and ultimately fight
disease.
Stress:
It is during times of illness, antibiotic therapy, injury and excessive
stress that the normal microflora, pH and digestive process can be effected.
Stress can be caused by many factors. Over crowding, travel, bird shows,
racing, change in environment, molting, illness and other factors we may
not be aware of.
During Antibiotic Therapy:
Probiotics can safely be used as a prophylactic and as supportive therapy
when administering antibiotics. These new species-specific probiotics
can supply nutrients to the host, aid in digestion and produce better
food conversion. Probiotic therapy will introduce "good" bacteria
into the gut, encourage colonization and a healthy growth of microflora.
The probiotics will prevent undesirable organisms (pathogens) from gaining
a foothold and colonizing in the intestine ultimately causing illness.
Hand-fed Chicks:
Chicks usually hatch with no bacteria present. These chicks are for all
practical purposes sterile. From hatch on, chicks are continually absorbing
organisms from their surroundings---beneficial as well as harmful pathogens.
If gram negative bacteria are allowed to flourish without benefit of healthy
digestive flora, problems will occur. Hand-fed chicks are ideal candidates
for direct-fed microbials and will benefit from species-specific probiotic
therapy.
Avian Strain Probiotics:
Not all probiotics are created equal. Bacterial preparations, direct-fed
microbials, also referred to as probiotics or lactobacillus are widely
available commercially. It is important to recognize and choose the right
product. Some probiotics are not effective on birds. Many bacterial preparations
are harvested from the gut flora of mammals such as swine or cattle and
show little benefit when used on birds. These microbial products may have
the same name as those that are found in birds but---can prove ineffective
if non species-specific. "Just because the label states lactobacillus…
does not mean that the product was derived from birds." Avi-Culture™
is avian specfic.
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