Growth promotants in feeding pigs and poultry. III. Alternatives to antibiotic growth promotants

On the basis of improving effects of antibiotic growth promoters in pigs and poultry being mediated through their regulating influence on the gastro-intestinal flora, a number of alternative additives and feeding strategies are reviewed. Nutrient absorption is facilitated by dietary incorporation of suitable enzyme preparations, thereby decreasing intestinal disorders and upsets. As a result, per- formance is improved, particularly in juveniles. Microbial preparations (probiotics) have also been claimed as alternatives to growth promoters of antibiotic type. However, the efficacy of probiotic preparations seems to be less consistent than the use of antibiotic-type preparations. Dietary acidifiers have also been proposed. Furthermore, the choice of ingredients and their technological treatment should also be considered as a strategy to tailor diets according to the specific capacity and requirements of the animal group. Recently, feed induced formation of lectins or peptides has been proposed as an efficient method to prevent diarrhoea in pigs by their action on the central regulating system of intestinal fluid secretion. Finally, the environmental and management conditions of the production systems are of very great importance to secure a safe development of animals. The need for more research in the area of alternatives to antibiotic-type antibiotics is emphasised.