Animal production faces a number of challenges which compromise profitability. These challenges include feed changes, vaccination, stress and the presence of enteric pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens. The presence of pathogens place immense pressure on the gut by causing inflammation, disease and subsequently poor growth performance.
When animals are suffering from a digestive disturbance, the consumption of feed is significantly reduced, thereby limiting the potential of in-feed additives. The supplementation of probiotics through the drinking water can assist in introducing beneficial bacteria into the gut to rebalance the microbiome.
Ecobiol® Fizz as a solution to balance the microbiome
Ecobiol® is a single-strain probiotic containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940, and supports the maintenance of an intestinal microbial balance in poultry, compatible with the commonly applied water additives such as organic acids, chlorine and hydrogen peroxide. Ecobiol® has shown to reduce pathogenic microflora in the intestine and improve animal performance.
Ecobiol® Fizz is the new innovative product from Evonik which provides a fast and easy way to supplement probiotics in the drinking water, thereby supporting a naturally balanced microbiota. Ecobiol® Fizz is an effervescent tablet which can be supplemented at 1 tablet per 1000 litres water. The tablet ensures complete homogenous distribution without stirring, and does not cause biofilm formation or clogging of the water tanks and drinking lines.
BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
Ecobiol® Fizz can be directly applied in drinking water on farm
Supports the establishment of healthy intestinal microflora when feed intake is low
Delivers fast effects on microbiota in stressful periods
Flexible usage of probiotics, regardless of current feed formulation
Easy dosing and handling of highly concentrated tablets
No sugar-based carrier or additives that impact the formation of biofilm in the water tanks and
drinking lines
Homogenous distribution of probiotic spores in the water line
Compatible with other feed and water additives
Ecobiol® Fizz benefits in field trials
Ecobiol® Fizz can either be used continuously in the drinking water of animals to promote the presence of beneficial bacteria, or can be used sporadically in times of increased stress; such as at the placement of day old broilers, at weaning for piglets and after antibiotic treatment.
The below trial was conducted at Optifarm in the UK on a total of 730 000 broilers. The drinking water was supplemented with Ecobiol® Fizz on days: 1-3; 10-12; 21-23; and 27-29, to assist in the most stressful time periods the birds experience. With the improvements observed in performance, in particular body weight at slaughter; as observed in Figure 1 below; the return on investment taking into account the cost of application vs the additional income for the farm, was 6:1.
Figure 1: The improvement in slaughter weight after intermittent supplementation of Ecobiol® Fizz
As the challenges in animal production continue to rise, and pathogens continue to become ever-present on the farm, strategies to support a healthy microbiome need to be considered. Ecobiol® Fizz has consistently demonstrated its effectiveness against pathogenic bacteria and the promotion of beneficial bacteria in the gut, and can therefore assist in improving overall gut health and performance on poultry and swine farms.
Natasha Davison
Business Manager
Evonik Africa (Pty) Ltd
