Enhancing Gut Health: Early-Life Microbiome Manipulation in Poultry through Probiotics

Dear Colleagues,

A healthy microbiome is essential for poultry health and welfare, and it is increasingly recognized as key to the sustainability of the industry. Recent research highlights the potential of early intervention strategies, such as manipulating the gut microbiome of chick embryos and newly hatched chicks with probiotics, to significantly enhance disease resistance and overall bird health. Introducing beneficial microorganisms before or shortly after hatching can positively influence the intestinal environment, promoting the growth of beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful pathogens. This can be achieved directly through competitive exclusion, where probiotic bacteria out-compete pathogens for resources and adhesion sites, and via the secretion of antimicrobial substances that target harmful microorganisms or indirectly through modulating gut immunity, further enhancing a bird’s defenses. These early-life interventions can potentially improve resistance to various pathogens, including bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic pathogens, contributing to better flock health and increased productivity. We welcome submissions to this Special Issue that explore innovative approaches to microbiome manipulation in poultry, particularly those focusing on probiotic applications that can enhance the industry’s resilience against disease.

The key themes and topics covered in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

1—Advancements in Probiotic Formulations for Poultry: Innovative approaches to developing and improving probiotic strains and formulations specifically for poultry.

2—Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics: Detailed exploration of how probiotics affect gut microbiota, immune responses, and integrity.

3—Probiotics and Disease Resistance: The impact of probiotics on preventing and controlling infections caused by bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens in poultry.

4—Comparative Efficacy of Probiotic Delivery Methods: Techniques and outcomes associated with administering probiotics, such as in ovo, feed, litter, or water, and their effectiveness.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Microorganisms.

Dr. Khaled Abdelaziz
Dr. Alexander Yitbarek
Dr. Mohammadali Alizadeh
Guest Editors

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• poultry probiotics
• poultry gut microbiome
• beneficial bacterial populations