Brackets, Bacteria and Broilers

We’re getting close to tourney time, and some of us were discussing who’s in and who’s out. The conversation led to a heated debate about which is more valuable to make a tourney run – offense or defense. The discussion turned back to business when someone made the comparison of AGRITX F-65 to a dominate offense. We laughed and then looked at one another. It’s true.

Think of it like this: Antimicrobials are a defensive strategy and probiotics, like AGRITX F-65, are a big part of your offensive game plan. Let’s compare.

ANTIMICROBIALS are a broad class of chemistries including disinfectants, bacteriostats and even antibiotics. They have one primary role – to reduce pathogens throughout a broiler chick’s lifecycle including at the hatchery. See where we’re going here? Although antimicrobials can be effective at reducing bacteria, there is limited evidence that they have any positive impact on a chick’s sustained gut health. So don’t count on many offensive assists from formaldehyde.

PROBIOTICS on the other hand, are used throughout the broiler chick production cycle to positively influence the chick’s gut health or microbiota. This is where the offense comes in. Once these “pioneer” colonizers establish a microbiome within the GIT, advantageous bacteria like Bacillus and Lactobacillus can outcompete harmful bacteria like Enterococcus or Salmonella throughout a broiler chick’s full production cycle.

Like basketball, a winning broiler production strategy requires a solid offense and defense.

So, if you’re looking to tighten up your offense, you may ask what makes AGRITX F-65 different? The lineup. Unlike microbials alone (Bacillus and Lactobacillus) implemented at the feed mill or applied in ovo at the hatchery, AGRITX F-65 includes vitamins, minerals, amino acids and prebiotics. So, keeping with our analogy, AGRITX F-65 is like an elite team of role players working toward one common goal – to outcompete harmful pathogens throughout the life of a broiler.

That’s probably where the comparisons end, but for more detailed information about the role AGRITX F-65 can play in your hatcheries, download this detailed whitepaper.