Natural Feed Additives for Poultry
The poultry industry is undergoing a significant transformation as producers seek sustainable, antibiotic-free solutions to improve bird health and productivity. One of the most promising strategies is the use of natural feed additives for poultry, which are increasingly recognized as effective alternatives to synthetic growth promoters and antibiotics. These additives not only enhance performance but also align with consumer demand for safer, more natural food products.
As a company that has made animal nutrition its priority for more than 70 years, BioZyme® is proud to enter the poultry space. In 2023, it introduced AO-Biotics® EQE, a natural feed additive for poultry, as the first and only postbiotic for layers. We’ll learn more about postbiotics a little later.
What Are Natural Feed Additives?
Natural feed additives are substances derived from plants, microorganisms, or organic compounds derived from plants, microorganisms or even insects. These natural feed additives are then incorporated into poultry diets to improve feed efficiency, health, and egg or meat quality. Unlike synthetic additives, they rely on bioactive compounds that support gut health, immunity, and nutrient absorption. Common categories include:
- Phytogenics (herbal extracts, essential oils, spices)
- Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics
- Organic acids
- Enzymes and minerals
These additives are non-nutritive in nature but exert physiological and microbiological effects that optimize poultry performance.
Practical Applications in Poultry Farming
Integrating natural feed additives for poultry diets requires careful formulation and dosage. Producers and nutritionists often combine multiple additives to achieve synergistic effects. For instance:
- Phytogenics and probiotics can simultaneously enhance gut health and immunity.
- Organic acids and enzymes improve nutrient absorption while controlling pathogens.
Studies have demonstrated that these combinations reduce mortality rates, improve feed conversion ratios, and increase egg production quality.
Beyond selecting complementary additives, successful implementation depends on aligning feed additive strategies with production goals, bird age, and environmental conditions. Starter, grower, and finisher diets each present unique nutritional challenges, and additive inclusion rates should be adjusted accordingly. Young birds, for example, benefit from additives that support early gut development and microbial stability, while layers and breeders require formulations that optimize nutrient utilization and reproductive performance without compromising egg quality.
Consistency in feed manufacturing and delivery is also critical when incorporating natural feed additives for poultry. Many phytogenic compounds and organic acids are sensitive to heat, moisture, and prolonged storage. Pelleting temperatures, conditioning time, and post-pellet application methods must be carefully managed to preserve additive efficacy. Microencapsulation and coated formulations are increasingly used to protect active ingredients and ensure targeted release within the GI tract.
Monitoring flock response plays a key role in evaluating additive effectiveness. Producers should track performance metrics such as feed intake, body weight uniformity, feed conversion ratio, mortality, and egg size and shell integrity. Improvements in litter quality and reductions in wet litter or ammonia levels may also indicate enhanced gut health and nutrient digestibility. These measurable outcomes allow nutritionists to fine-tune inclusion rates of natural feed additives for poultry and adjust combinations based on real-world performance data.
Additional Considerations for Natural Feed Additives
Biosecurity and management practices further influence the success of natural feed additive programs. While these additives can support immune function and gut integrity, they are most effective when paired with sound sanitation, vaccination programs, and environmental management. In operations facing elevated pathogen pressure or heat stress, targeted additive blends can help mitigate physiological stress and maintain performance, but they should not be viewed as stand-alone solutions.
Economic considerations remain a driving factor in adoption. Although natural feed additives for poultry may increase upfront feed costs, improvements in feed efficiency, livability, and product quality often offset these investments. Reduced reliance on therapeutic interventions and improved flock resilience can also contribute to long-term cost savings and sustainability goals.
As poultry production systems continue to evolve, natural feed additives offer a flexible, science-based approach to supporting bird health and performance. When strategically formulated and properly managed, these additives serve as valuable tools for producers seeking consistent results in increasingly complex production environments.
Why Shift Toward Natural Feed Additives for Poultry?
Traditionally, we use to antibiotics to prevent disease and promote growth. However, concerns about antibiotic resistance and regulatory restrictions have accelerated the search for natural alternatives. Natural feed additives offer several advantages:
- Improved gut health by balancing intestinal microflora.
- Enhanced immunity through bioactive compounds.
- Better feed conversion ratios, reducing production costs.
- Sustainability, as they reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals.
- Consumer acceptance, meeting the demand for antibiotic-free poultry products.
Key Types of Natural Feed Additives
1. Phytogenics
Derived from herbs, spices, and essential oils, phytogenics such as cinnamon, oregano, and garlic are rich in antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds. For example, cinnamon has shown promise in improving poultry health and performance by increasing digestion and feed utilization. It is also a partially effective repellent against red poultry mites. Research shows that oregano can improve intestinal health and reduce E. coli counts.
2. Prebiotics, Probiotics & Postbiotics
Probiotics are live beneficial microorganisms, while prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that stimulate their growth. Together, they improve gut microbiota balance, reduce harmful pathogens, and enhance nutrient absorption. This leads to stronger immunity and better growth rates.
All our AO-Biotics products adhere to standards set by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). That’s how you know our products are what we say they are and do exactly what we say they do.
The following are the ISAPP definitions:
- Prebiotic: A substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms, conferring the host a health benefit.
- Probiotic: Live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.
- Postbiotic: A preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host.
BioZyme also has definitions of prebiotics and postbiotics as they pertain to our AO-Biotics brand. They are as follows:
Prebiotic: AO-Biotics prebiotics are derived from A. oryzae to promote growth and activity of beneficial gut microbes to confer a benefit on the host.
Postbiotic: AO-Biotics postbiotics are derived from nonliving components of A. oryzae (metabolites or other bioactive compounds) to target specific problems affecting animal health, welfare and/or productivity.
3. Organic Acids
Organic acids, such as citric, lactic, and formic acids, lower gut pH, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. They also improve protein and mineral digestibility, contributing to efficient feed utilization.
Enzymes like phytase and xylanase break down complex feed components, increasing nutrient availability. This reduces feed costs and minimizes environmental waste from undigested nutrients.
4. Enzymes
Challenges and Considerations
While natural feed additives are promising, their effectiveness depends on factors such as:
- Quality and consistency of raw materials.
- Optimal dosage to avoid underperformance or waste.
- Cost-effectiveness, as some natural additives may be more expensive than synthetic alternatives.
- Regulatory compliance, ensuring additives meet safety standards.
Ongoing research continues to refine formulations and identify new bioactive compounds that can further enhance poultry performance.
AO-Biotics are Natural Feed Additives for Poultry
AO-Biotics® is a line of fermentation products derived from BioZyme’s innovative fermentation of Aspergillus oryzae (AO) to promote resilience. AO-Biotics EQE was specifically designed and developed as the first postbiotic for layers and was launched globally in 2023.
Research studies show that feeding this innovative postbiotic results in:
- More sellable eggs
- Improved egg mass
- Increased productive life span.
“EQE stands as the inaugural additive arising from the aforementioned research program. The extensive research efforts that culminated in this breakthrough spanned over six years. It encompassed the completion of a Ph.D. program, along with multiple studies conducted in collaboration with research partners primarily in the USA and Europe,” said Ignacio Ipharraguerre, Ph.D., BioZyme Vice President, Research & Innovation.
As a postbiotic, AO-Biotics EQE is unique within the options of natural feed additives for poultry. AO‑Biotics EQE operates through:
- Gut microbiome and metabolism modulation
- Immune system and gut barrier support
- Systemic signaling enhancing overall health and productivity
These combined effects manifest as better egg production, shell quality, feed efficiency, and extended hen lifespan—defining its mode of action both mechanistically and functionally.
AO-Biotics EQE is marketed globally as a feed additive and included in one of BioZyme’s poultry products domestically.
The Final Word
The adoption of natural feed additives for poultry represents a pivotal step toward sustainable, antibiotic-free production. By leveraging phytogenics, prebiotics, postbiotics, organic acids, and enzymes, poultry producers can improve bird health, optimize feed efficiency, and meet consumer expectations for safe, natural products. As research advances, these additives will play an even greater role in shaping the future of poultry nutrition.
We encourage you to learn more about natural feed additives for poultry. Incorporating a postbiotic like AO-Biotics EQE into the poultry diet is an excellent step toward improving bird health and increasing egg production.
Learn more about AO-Biotics
Nutrition is important for hen care, and natural feed additives for poultry are a valuable resource for keeping them healthy and productive. We hope you will incorporate AO-Biotics EQE in your flock’s nutritional plan today.
Want to learn more about EQE? Read our research or check out our economic return calculator. If you have a small flock and want to incorporate it daily, you can purchase Backyard Boost® Daily Essentials, which includes EQE.