Understanding Growth Promoters for Poultry: Types, Importance, and Benefits

Introduction

Poultry farming is one of the major revenue-generating businesses for farmers in India. Poultry growth promoters provide specialized supplements that boost fast growth in poultry, increase weight gain, reduce feed consumption, and ensure profitable returns.

You may think of which is the best growth promoter for your poultry farming. Here, we share details on poultry growth promoters, helping you understand the best growth promoters for poultry, their types, their importance, and how they benefit both poultry and farmers.

Types of Growth Promoters Used in Poultry Farming

Poultry growth promoters are components added to feed or water to support the healthy growth of poultry, such as chickens, ducks, and pigeons, and to increase their productivity. 

Here, poultry growth promoters can be of various types based on their composition and mode of action. They can be classified into the following types.

1. Antibiotic-based Promoters

You may wonder why antibiotic-based promoters are widely used by farmers. The reason is simple. A small dose of antibiotic promoter provides the best results, it is commonly used in flocks. Moreover, they are made from specific microorganisms or, most likely, chemical substances (chemically synthesized), and are responsible for faster growth. 

Examples: 

• Natural antibiotic-based promoter: Bacitracin, Tylosin, Virginiamycin.
• Chemically antibiotic-based promoters: Avilamycin

2. Probiotics and Prebiotics

Poultry farmers choose probiotic and prebiotic growth stimulants as they are natural and safer than antibiotic promoters. Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria, while prebiotics are found in non-digestible fiber or compounds that serve as special food ingredients for good bacteria in the gut.

Examples

• Probiotic: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus
• Prebiotic: Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)

3. Enzymes and feed additives

Enzymes are nutritional supplements that help birds break down complex food ingredients. Feed additives are additional nutrients added to the flock’s feed to improve overall health.

Examples 

• Enzymes: Phytase, Amylase, Protease, Xylanase
• Feed Additives: Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids, Organic Acids

4. Herbal or natural promoters

With demand for organic products increasing, many farmers are transitioning to sustainable production methods. Using herbal or natural growth promoters supports this approach, as they are safer when used at recommended dosages. They are derived from plants, herbs, and natural extracts.

Examples:

• Herbs: Garlic, Turmeric, Neem, Tulsi (holy basil), Aloe Vera, Fenugreek
• Plants: Oregano oil, Cinnamon, and Ginger Oil

Let's see how these poultry growth promoters benefit your poultry.

Benefits of Using Poultry Growth Promoters

Looking into the benefits of using poultry growth promoters helps you to choose the right one for your flocks. They offer the following advantages.

1. Boost Immunity and Reduce Mortality

As we have various types of growth promoters, each gives the best results for certain requirements. Antibiotic-based growth stimulants kill harmful bacteria in the birds’ gut, and probiotic enhancers help defend against disease.

It supports a decrease in mortality in birds, ensuring healthy growth. Prebiotics feed good bacteria in the gut and increase their growth. Thus, helps in immunity boosting and reduces mortality in birds.

2. Faster Growth and More Weight Gain

Poultry often have digestive challenges, so they are unable to break down certain feed. Herbal growth boosters ease the digestion process and help the gut break it down, providing a healthier gut.

This will result in a proper balance between harmful bacteria and efficient nutrient absorption. Thus, poultry growth stimulants help with faster growth and healthier weight gain.

3. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

Maximum utilisation of the feed results in greater profit for farmers. The growth boosters improve the feed conversion ratio (FCR). This means birds achieve good weight gain with less feed.

Birds can utilise all the feed and obtain all the nutrition from it. This directly reduces feed costs and helps in weight gain. 

4. Quality Meat

The growth promoters increase the meat quality by elevating nutrient intake from the feed. Better nutrient absorption makes the meat healthier and more delicious.

Risks and Considerations When Using Growth Promoters for Poultry

Are you confused that the faster growth in your flocks causes any harm? Growth promoters are widely used in birds to enhance growth. Overuse or poor-quality growth boosters can cause adverse reactions in birds. 

It weakens the bird’s immune system, damages organs, and increases mortality. The residues can remain in meat and eggs; if consumers consume these products, it can affect their health and, ultimately, their trust. Before using any poultry growth enhancers, farmers are advised to check the expiry and quality of the products. Expired and low-quality products affect digestion, gut health, and meat quality, and increase feed costs.

This can be avoided by following the manufacturer’s recommended usage and seeking experts' help when needed. This will help farmers maintain birds' health, improve weight gain, and reduce feed costs. 

How to Choose the Right Growth Promoter for Your Poultry

Before using any growth promoters for your flocks, you have to choose the ideal one for your needs. There are many types of growth additives in the market, each better suited to specific needs. Knowing your goal and farming conditions enables you to pick the right one. 

For example, first decide on your primary requirements, such as rapid weight gain, boosting immunity, or improved feed efficiency. Antibiotic-based growth promoters promote faster weight gain, while herbal and probiotic growth enhancers focus on gut health and digestion. While the enzymes and feed additives provide additional nutritional supplements to the flocks.

As the demand for organic and less chemical products increases nowadays, farmers who prefer natural growth stimulants gain more profit in the market. Furthermore, the quality of the feed additives for faster growth is important for getting effective results. Choosing trusted suppliers and checking expiry dates ensures safe, effective results. 

Conclusion:

As we discussed, growth promoters for poultry not only induce faster growth in birds, but they also satisfy consumer demand and generate profitable revenue. 

Choosing the best growth boosters acts as a balancer between faster growth and less harm to the birds. The smart use of growth stimulants helps farmers meet consumer demand at minimal feed cost.