The Importance of Gut Health and Immunity in Poultry Production

Gut health and immunity are essential to modern poultry production because they directly affect performance, animal welfare, and profitability.

The gastrointestinal tract of poultry is responsible not only for digesting and absorbing nutrients but also for serving as an important defense barrier against pathogens. When the intestine is healthy, several benefits can be observed:

• Better utilization of nutrients from feed;
• More efficient weight gain;
• Improved feed conversion ratio;
• Reduced digestive disorders and production losses;
• More uniform flock development.

On the other hand, disruptions in the intestinal microbiota, infections, or damage to the intestinal mucosa can impair nutrient absorption and increase disease incidence.

A large proportion of the poultry immune system is associated with the intestine. Therefore, gut health and immunity are closely linked.

An efficient immune system provides greater resistance against bacteria, viruses, and parasites, reduces the need for pharmaceutical treatments, and improves vaccine responsiveness, resulting in lower mortality rates and improved health status.

In addition, when the intestinal microbiota is balanced, it interacts positively with the immune system: beneficial bacteria help activate the animal’s natural defenses, supporting health and productive performance.

For this reason, implementing strategies such as postbiotics, probiotics, and organic acids, along with high-quality water, proper health management, and balanced nutrition, is highly valuable for optimizing gut health and enhancing poultry immune response.

Beta-glucans: why are they important?

The immune system works through two types of responses: innate and adaptive. The innate response acts as the first line of defense, responding quickly to invading agents; However, it is nonspecific and does not recognize specific pathogenic strains. The adaptive response, although it takes more time to develop, can identify specific infectious agents and generate long-lasting immunological memory.

Immunological memory underpins vaccination programs implemented for decades. For a long time, it was believed that only the adaptive immune system could develop memory; however, recent studies have shown that the innate immune system can also be stimulated and “trained” to respond more efficiently to future challenges, a phenomenon known as trained immunity.

Among the molecules that can promote this response are beta-glucans, natural compounds found in the cell walls of yeasts, fungi, and bacteria, as well as in some cereals. They act by stimulating innate immune cells, enhancing their ability to recognize and combat subsequent threats.

“Entrained immunity” allows the organism to respond faster and more effectively after first contact with an infectious agent. In this way, even without the specificity of adaptive immunity, the innate immune system responds more efficiently to new health challenges.

Although beta-glucans come from different sources, studies show that their properties depend directly on their chemical structure. In this context, yeast beta-glucans, composed predominantly of β-1,3 and β-1,6 links, stand out for their greater immunogenic activity and their ability to modulate the immune response. For this reason, they are widely studied for their potential to promote “entrenched immunity” and strengthen the organism’s natural defense mechanisms.

In addition to modulating immunity, beta-glucans can act as vaccine adjuvants, enhancing the animal’s response and improving vaccine efficiency. vaccines. Their structure also makes them a promising platform for vaccine administration systems and other bioactive compounds.

In animal nutrition, especially in poultry farming, beta-glucans can be administered orally with the diet, helping the immune system respond more quickly to pathogens. In this way, they contribute to strengthening natural defenses, promoting intestinal health, and optimizing the productive performance of animals.

Therefore, beta-glucans have sparked a growing interest in animal production and are recognized as important tools for strengthening immunity and promoting the health and well-being of birds.

Beyond their modulating role in Innate immunity, beta-glucans function as vaccine aids that optimize responses in the pre- and post-vaccination phases. This benefit is especially relevant in critical phases, such as in reproductive animals, puppies in the first days of life, and growing animals, when adequate development of immunological competence is fundamental.

Safglucan®: a solution to strengthen immunity and boost vaccination efficacy

Safglucan®, developed by Phileo by Lesaffre, is a product composed of a purified fraction containing a minimum of 50% 1,3/1,6-beta-glucans. These are extracted from a specific strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae through a controlled production process that includes primary cultivation.

Studies show that animals vaccinated and supplemented with Safglucan® have significantly higher antibody titers and a greater ability to defend against invading pathogens than non-supplemented groups. This effect occurs because Safglucan® strengthens immunity at its foundation, boosting the organism’s primary defense mechanisms.

Thus, investing in gut health and improved immunity yields significant benefits for the animals and the flock’s profitability:

• Increased immunity before and after vaccination;
• Better production performance;
• Lower mortality;
• Improved feed conversion;
• Reduced medication costs;
• Higher meat and egg quality;
• Improved profitability indicators (ROI).

In poultry farming, gut health and immunity are strategic factors in keeping birds healthier, more productive, and more resilient to health challenges. A healthy gut promotes efficient nutrient absorption and strengthens the body’s natural defenses, directly impacting the farm’s technical and economic results.

A study by researchers at Phileo by Lesaffre (China Agricultural University and IIIA Experimental Farm¹) showed that using Safglucan® with vaccination programs can increase antibody titers by 20% to 30%, resulting in a more robust and long-lasting vaccine response. This boost in immunity contributes to higher flock survival rates when facing health challenges. To learn more about Safglucan® and support more efficient, sustainable animal production, reduce production costs, and align with the One Health concept, please visit our website.

Consumer trends and demands in the poultry sector

In response to demand for higher-quality poultry products, production systems need strategies that strengthen animal health, minimize production losses, and improve economic efficiency.

According to a Mintel report, animal welfare claims associated with product launches rose from 16% to 24% between 2021 and 2025². This growth demonstrates that responsible production practices are becoming a key differentiator for brands in the sector.

At the same time, the poultry industry has faced increasingly complex animal health challenges. Intensified vaccination programs, stronger biosecurity practices, and the global trend toward reducing antibiotic use require integrated approaches that maintain animal health and performance throughout the production cycle.

In this scenario, nutrition plays a strategic role. It is essential to meet the birds’ nutritional requirements, modulate the immune response, and prepare the organism to withstand periods of heightened health challenges. In this regard, adequate nutritional support can help increase animal resilience by reducing the impact of health challenges and minimizing production losses.

Furthermore, functional ingredients that act on the immune system are gaining importance as tools that complement animal health programs. Additives that promote immune preparedness can support both vaccination protocols and the post-immunization period, contributing to more consistent responses across production stages, from breeder flocks to growing birds.

Against this backdrop, Safglucan® plays a strategic role in strengthening animal immunity by stimulating the body’s natural defenses and enhancing the response to vaccination programs. As a yeast beta-glucan rich in β-1,3 and β-1,6 linkages, it supports innate immunity, helping animals face health challenges more effectively and promoting better health, well-being, and productivity.