On a daily basis, the animals are constantly exposed to potentially harmful microbes of all sorts. The immune system, a network of intricate stages and pathways in the body, protects the animals against these harmful microbes as well as certain diseases. It recognizes foreign invaders like bacteria, virus, and parasites and takes immediate action.
The 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook reported that animal diseases have disrupted feed production in more than 80% of reporting countries. This highlights that the animal’s ability to defend itself against pathogens is extremely important to maintain production.
In this white paper, Dr. Harriet Walker explained how this complex system can be strengthened by nutritional diets that balance the gut microbiota, aid the digestive process, optimize nutrient absorption, protect against pathogens and provide other benefits that enhance immunity, performance and help animals meet their genetic potential.
Gut Health Management, Alltech
Dr. Harriet Walker is the poultry specialist for for the Alltech® Gut Health platform.
Before taking this role, Harriet worked in the industry as a poultry nutritionist, developing a solid nutritional and technical knowledge base. She has extensive experience in bird nutrition and management over various farm sizes and poultry types.
Harriet completed her Ph.D. at Nottingham Trent University in 2013, evaluating the gut health and performance of broilers when feeding supplements to reduce antibiotic use, elucidating their mode of action. She also studied Animal Science at the University of Nottingham, where she completed her third-year dissertation in poultry nutrition in 2009.
