Summary
The poultry industry contributes significantly to bridging the nutritional gap in many countries because of its meat and eggs products rich in protein and valuable nutrients at a cost less than other animal meat sources. The natural antibiotics alternatives including probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, organic acids, essential oils, enzymes, immunostimulants, and phytogenic (phytobiotic) including herbs, botanicals, essential oils, and oleoresins are the most common feed additives that acquire popularity in poultry industry following the ban of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). They are commonly used worldwide because of their unique properties and positive impact on poultry production. They can be easily mixed with other feed ingredients, have no tissue residues, improve feed intake, fe
Regional applicability
The findings are internationally applicable, though the review does not distinguish between production systems or climatic zones. United Kingdom poultry producers operating under organic standards or facing antimicrobial stewardship pressures would find the taxonomy of alternatives and documented modes of action relevant to formulating compliant feed strategies, though local regulatory acceptability of specific additives (e.g., essential oils, particular phytobiotics) should be verified against UK and EU organic certification rules.
Key measures
Feed intake, feed conversion rate, feed gain, bird immunity, digestive function, nutrient bioavailability, antimicrobial effects, carcass characteristics, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, antibiotic usage reduction
Outcomes reported
The review examined natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, organic acids, essential oils, enzymes, immunostimulants, and phytogenics) used in poultry production. It assessed their modes of action and impacts on bird health, immunity, digestion, feed conversion, and product quality.
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