Functional feedstuffs to bolster immunocompetence of pullets: Impact on performance and health in pullets and hens

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Canadian poultry industry is in transition because of pressure to adopt alternative housing and to reduce antimicrobial use for prevention and growth promotion. In the context of rearing housing, more producers are moving to alternative housing to allow pullets to adapt to complex housing during laying. More frequent social encounters and exposure to fecal particulate matters can exacerbate stress in high-density rearing environments with a profound and lasting effect. Moreover, susceptibility to enteric and respiratory infections may increase during conditions of high stress. For example, opportunistic avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), which often cause lethal respiratory and systemic diseases in the commercial farms. There are numerous feedstuffs such as omega-3 fatty acids and yeast metabolites are known to improve bird's performance and overall health through boosting immunocompetence. Components in these feedstuffs react with the animal's immune cells to activate various immunity pathways. It is plausible such dietary approaches holds great promise in optimal pullet rearing particularly in high-stress housing environments. However, there is dearth of the data on the impact of feeding these functional feedstuffs on pullet development and overall health in different housing conditions and subsequent impacts on laying hen performance and livability. The project will employ a variety of experimental, statistical, and analytical techniques thus providing excellent training opportunities for HQP. Specifically, the research project will support training of 2 Ph.D and 2 undergraduate students, and a technician. The long-term objective of our research is to investigate nutritional means to improve gut health and function, skeletal integrity, and feed utilization in poultry. The study of nutritional strategies to improve gut and bone health are of critical importance to the Canadian poultry industry more so in the light of the forthcoming changes in layers housing systems and restriction to AGP usage. Research results will be directly transferred into practice through partnerships with feed manufacturers and allied industries that serve the Canadian poultry producers.