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Animals
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Feed Additives in Poultry Industry
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Feed Additives in Poultry Industry

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Poultry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 2257

Editors

Dr. Dimitrios Galamatis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Science, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
Interests: poultry production; feed additives; phytogenics; gut health
Dr. Ilias Giannenas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: phytobiotics; poultry health; additives; nutrition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Vasilios Tsiouris

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Unit of Avian Medicine, Clinic of Farm Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: avian medicine; poultry health; immune response; additives
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global poultry industry faces increasing pressure to improve productivity, maintain animal health, and ensure food safety while reducing reliance on antibiotic growth promoters. Feed additives have emerged as essential tools to support these goals by enhancing nutrient utilization, modulating gut microbiota, strengthening immune responses, and mitigating the effects of environmental and nutritional stressors. A wide range of feed additives including probiotics, post-biotics, yeasts and fermentation prebiotics, enzymes, organic acids, short and medium chain fatty acids, phytogenic compounds, and other functional ingredients has been explored to enhance nutrient utilization, maintain intestinal homeostasis, and support poultry welfare. Despite extensive research on the topic, the mechanisms through which feed additives exert their beneficial effects on poultry physiology, gut microbiota, and immune responses are not yet fully understood.

This Special Issue is open to original research articles, in vivo and in vitro studies, and review articles that contribute to the scientific understanding of the potential role of feed additives in poultry science. The aim of this Special Issue includes the following: the role of feed additives on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut microbiota composition and functionality, immunomodulation, oxidative stress, pathogen inhibition, animal welfare, and product quality. The potential role and mechanisms of action of feed additives; employing advanced technologies such as metagenomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics; and their impact on animal health and productivity are highly appreciated.

Also, this Special Issue, consisting of a collection of articles from scientists and experts from the poultry field, aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the potential, benefits, and limitations of feed additives in poultry nutrition and production, and hence contribute to better understanding of and improvements in sustainable poultry production worldwide.

Dr. Dimitrios Galamatis
Dr. Ilias Giannenas
Dr. Vasilios Tsiouris
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • feed additives
  • gut health
  • poultry nutrition
  • enzymes
  • phytogenic compounds
  • immune modulation
  • poultry production

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 633 KB  
Article
Effect of Zinc Hydroxychloride and Copper Hydroxychloride in Compound Feed on Rearing Results and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens
by Sabina Kaim, Dorota Banaszewska and Barbara Biesiada-Drzazga
Animals 2026, 16(13), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16132059 - 3 Jul 2026
Viewed by 389
Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare the production results, slaughter value, and physicochemical and biochemical parameters of the muscles of Ross 308 broiler chickens. The study included 225 individuals divided into three groups of 75 birds each. Each group was subdivided [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to compare the production results, slaughter value, and physicochemical and biochemical parameters of the muscles of Ross 308 broiler chickens. The study included 225 individuals divided into three groups of 75 birds each. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups of 25 birds each (replicates). The control group received zinc (Zn) in the form of zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper (Cu) in the form of copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O). Experimental group I received the microelements zinc and copper exclusively in the form of zinc hydroxychloride and dicopper chloride trihydroxide. Experimental group II received zinc and copper in both inorganic and hydroxychloride forms. The obtained results were processed using statistical analysis using the STATISTICA 13.0 [2016] program. The significance of differences between groups was inferred based on Tukey’s test. Chickens from the experimental groups were characterized by higher body weight (p ≤ 0.05) and eviscerated carcass weight (p ≤ 0.05) and better feed utilization (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, compared with the control group, the carcasses of chickens from the experimental groups were characterized by a lower weight of breast muscles (p ≤ 0.05) and skin with subcutaneous fat, a similar weight of leg muscles, and a significantly greater weight of the remaining carcass components (p ≤ 0.01). The use of Zn and Cu in the form of hydroxychlorides in broiler chicken nutrition increased the fat content in the muscles (p ≤ 0.05), the concentrations of Zn and Cu in the liver, and significantly improved the tibial bone strength of broiler chickens. The application of Zn and Cu in the form of hydroxychlorides in the diets (experimental groups I and II) enhanced lipid and protein oxidation processes and the overall antioxidant capacity in the breast muscle. To conclude, dietary supplementation with zinc and copper hydroxychlorides in broilers promotes growth performance, bone strength, and mineral bioavailability, though it reduces breast muscle yield and triggers oxidative stress in these tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Additives in Poultry Industry)
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13 pages, 248 KB  
Article
Could Different Eubiotics Improve Gut Health, Growth Performance, Carcass Yield, and Skin Pigmentation in Broilers Fed Sorghum–Soybean-Based Diets?
by Osiris Napoleón Pérez-Segura, Arturo Cortés-Cuevas, Gabriela Gómez-Verduzco and Ernesto Avila-González
Animals 2026, 16(12), 1838; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16121838 - 15 Jun 2026
Viewed by 1141
Abstract
The objective of this research was to evaluate different commercial eubiotics. The eubiotics were evaluated individually and in combination on growth performance, carcass traits, and gut structure in broilers fed sorghum–soybean meal diets. A total of 1000 Ross 308 male broilers were randomly [...] Read more.
The objective of this research was to evaluate different commercial eubiotics. The eubiotics were evaluated individually and in combination on growth performance, carcass traits, and gut structure in broilers fed sorghum–soybean meal diets. A total of 1000 Ross 308 male broilers were randomly allocated to one of five dietary treatments with eight replicates of 25 broilers each. The experimental treatments were: 1. CON (basal diet), 2. ENR (basal diet + Enradin® 100 g/ton), 3. PF (basal diet + Probion-forte© 300 g/ton), 4. PF+ EB (basal diet + Probion-forte© and EndoBan FT® 250 and 250 g/ton, respectively), 5. CPP (basal diet + CRINA® Poultry Plus 300 g/ton). Broilers fed with eubiotic-supplemented diets showed significantly ameliorated growth performance compared with the control group (CON p < 0.05). Carcass weight was also significantly higher in broilers fed with eubiotics than those fed CON (the basal diet, p < 0.05). Gut structure analysis showed an increased villus height and mucosal thickness in the duodenum of eubiotic-treated groups (p < 0.05). The mixed supplementation of Probion-forte© and EndoBan®(PF-EB) induced greater villus height and mucosal thickness in the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05). Additionally, supplementation with PPR (CRINA® Poultry Plus) increased crypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.05), whereas PF (Probion-forte©) improved the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and ileum (p < 0.05). Consequently, dietary supplementation with these commercial eubiotics, individually and in combination, could ameliorate productive performance, carcass yield, skin pigmentation, and gut structure in broilers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Additives in Poultry Industry)
22 pages, 307 KB  
Article
Effects of DL-Methionine or Methionine Hydroxy Analogue-Free Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance and Carcass Yield of Broilers Fed Reduced Energy Diets with Guanidinoacetic Acid Supplementation
by Patrícia Tomazini Medeiros, Andreas Lemme, Victor Naranjo, Mariane Possamai, Rafael Rancatti and Alex Maiorka
Animals 2026, 16(12), 1811; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16121811 - 11 Jun 2026
Viewed by 298
Abstract
Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and methionine are two biologically active compounds related to cell energy metabolism. Both are metabolically linked, as the methyl group needed to transform GAA into creatine derives from S-adenonsylmethionine out of the homocysteine cycle. A broiler feeding study was conducted [...] Read more.
Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and methionine are two biologically active compounds related to cell energy metabolism. Both are metabolically linked, as the methyl group needed to transform GAA into creatine derives from S-adenonsylmethionine out of the homocysteine cycle. A broiler feeding study was conducted to evaluate potential interactions between 600 g/t supplemental GAA and feed additives with methionine activity. The experimental design comprised two parts. Part one consisted of three dietary treatments in which DL-methionine (DL-Met) was added to meet sulfur amino acid recommendations (1), DL-Met was replaced with liquid methionine hydroxy analogue-free acid (MHA-FA) assuming an 80% methionine activity in the product (2), and DL-Met was added at 65% of the MHA-FA dose used in Treatment 2 (on a product weight basis). Treatments 1, 2, and 3 reflect the range of commercial practice with assuming bioefficacies of either 80% (Trt 2 vs. 1) or 65% (Trt 3 vs. 2) for MHA-FA relative to DL-Met. Part two followed a 2 × 4 factorial design. Either DL-Met or MHA-FA (assuming 80% methionine activity) was added to diets with gradually reduced apparent metabolizable energy (AME; standard, −25, −50, −75 kcal/kg AME). For MHA-FA, a bioefficacy of 80% relative to DL-Met was applied in order to evaluate interactions with GAA efficiency assuming inadequate dietary Met+Cys supply with MHA-FA. AME-reduced diets were supplemented with 600 g/t GAA to evaluate its energy-sparing potential. A total of 2784 male Cobb 500 broilers were equally assigned to 116 floor pens, resulting in 13 replicates (one treatment with 12) per treatment. A five-phase feeding program was introduced from 1 to 40 days of age. Body weights (BW) and feed intake (FI) were recorded in weekly intervals allowing for calculating weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). At termination of the experiment, three birds per pen were obtained for carcass analysis. The results revealed that an overestimation of the bioefficacy of MHA-FA relative to DL-Met significantly compromised broiler growth (p < 0.05), while applying a bioefficacy of 65% for MHA-FA relative to DL-Met65 resulted in similar performance. However, on day 40, BW of broilers fed DL-Met65 were higher than with MHA-FA (p < 0.05). It is concluded that an overestimation of the bioefficacy of MHA-FA relative to DL-Met bears the risk of compromised broiler performance while a bioefficacy of 65% allows at least similar, potentially even better, performance and economic advantages. There were basically no interactions between MHA-FA or DL-Met and graded ME levels with concomitant GAA supplementation regarding overall performance of broilers. This means that final BW of DL-Met-fed broilers were higher than those of MHA-FA broilers independent of dietary ME (p < 0.05). In early feeding phases, interactions indicated that broiler performance (BW day 7, 21, p < 0.05) diminished with dietary energy reduction with DL-Met supplementation while this was not the case with MHA-FA-fed broilers. However, with standard AME, DL-Met outperformed MHA-FA (p < 0.05). Basically, GAA supplementation compensated AME reduction up to 50 kcal/kg as there were no differences in BW, BWG, FCR, FI, or breast meat yield. Additionally, −75 kcal/kg AME was compensated by GAA only up to a broiler age of 21 days. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Additives in Poultry Industry)
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