Aviagen® has released a Gut Health Toolkit, now available to customers worldwide. This comprehensive resource is the fourth installment in Aviagen’s Focus Series — a growing library designed to help poultry producers raise healthy, high-performing birds in antibiotic-free (ABF) or reduced-antibiotic (ABR) systems.
Supporting health, within and without
Gut health is the cornerstone of the overall health, welfare, and productivity of broiler flocks. The new Toolkit provides science-based strategies for maintaining strong gut function throughout the chicken’s life cycle. It underscores how good management of environmental factors—such as ventilation, litter moisture, water quality, nutrition and stress — can significantly impact gut integrity and resilience, especially in ABF systems.
Each element of the Toolkit is designed to be used on its own or as part of a comprehensive training and management program:
- Focus Document: Antibiotic-Free and Reduced Antibiotic Use in Broiler Production: Gut Health
- Expert Presentation: Delivered by Dr. Richard Bailey, Aviagen’s Head of Applied Physiology, and a leading voice in poultry immunology and microbiology
- Aviagen Brief: Understanding Gut Health Enhancement Products
- Educational Poster: Gut Health on the Farm – a practical, visual guide for farm teams
- Interactive Guide: Step-by-step advice for implementing gut health best practices
Designed for every production stage
The Toolkit is intended for everyone involved in broiler production — from farm managers and hatchery staff to biosecurity teams, veterinarians, feed suppliers and processing support teams.
“Whether you’re raising birds for ABF markets or operating a conventional system, maintaining gut health is critical,” explained Vanessa Kretzschmar-McCluskey, Ph.D., Aviagen’s Global Head of Technical Transfer. “It promotes uniform growth, efficient feed conversion, and stronger disease resistance. And while ABF production may not be common in all regions, the level of precision it demands is good practice on any farm. That’s why our ABF series has become such a valuable part of our global knowledge-sharing efforts. It’s all about Breeding Customer Success — giving our customers the tools they need to succeed.”
