Use of antibiotics in broiler production: Global impacts and alternatives

• Published in: Animal Nutrition Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 170 - 178
• Main Authors: Mehdi, Youcef, Létourneau-Montminy, Marie-Pierre, Gaucher, Marie-Lou, Chorfi, Younes, Suresh, Gayatri, Rouissi, Tarek, Brar, Satinder Kaur, Côté, Caroline, Ramirez, Antonio Avalos, Godbout, Stéphane
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Elsevier B.V 01.06.2018; KeAi Publishing; KeAi Communications Co., Ltd
• Subjects: animal nutrition; Animal Nutrition is indebted to Dr. Chengbo Yang of the University of Manitoba and Dr. Joshua Gong of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for their skills and dedication in organising and editing the paper; Antibiotic; antibiotics; bacteria; bacterial infections; bacteriocins; bacteriophages; Broiler chicken; chickens; Enzyme; enzymes; Essential oil; essential oils; farms; feed additives; growth promotion; immunostimulants; mortality; nanoparticles; organic acids and salts; poultry production; Prebiotic; prebiotics; Probiotic; probiotics; Probiotic; Broiler chicken; Antibiotic; Essential oil; Enzyme; Prebiotic
• ISSN: 2405-6545; 2405-6383; 2405-6383
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2018.03.002

Antibiotics are used to fight bacterial infections. However, a selective pressure gave rise to bacteria resistant to antibiotics. This leaves scientists worried about the danger to human and animal health. Some strategies can be borrowed to reduce the use of antibiotics in chicken farms. Much research has been carried out to look for natural agents with similar beneficial effects of growth promoters. The aim of these alternatives is to maintain a low mortality rate, a good level of animal yield while preserving environment and consumer health. Among these, the most popular are probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, organic acids, immunostimulants, bacteriocins, bacteriophages, phytogenic feed additives, phytoncides, nanoparticles and essential oils.