What are the challenges in this part of the digestive tract?

Multiple factors, including stocking density, stress, diet changes and antibiotics can impact the healthy balance of the gut microflora resulting in proliferation of non-beneficial bacteria. This disruption can reduce nutrient absorption, divert valuable energy to immune response and diminish the barriers to systemic infection.

What solution could be provided by a probiotic?

Look for a probiotic that can:

• help prevent colonisation by organisms such as Clostridium perfringens Type A and Avian Pathogenic E. Coli (APEC)
• support the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus that generate high density colonies
• act as part of the commensal flora to establish healthy maturation of gut immune response