Nowadays, due to the ban on antibiotics, "Arshine probiotics" are increasingly recognized and used by many farmers. Probiotics generally refer to live bacteria and their metabolic products that are beneficial to humans and animals. Common beneficial bacteria include lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, Bacillus subtilis, and yeast. The scientific and rational application of probiotics in poultry flocks offers numerous benefits. This is especially significant in antibiotic-free farming. To help everyone fully understand the benefits of probiotics, here is a brief overview:

Probiotics are live bacteria that need to reside in the intestines of chickens. Unlike harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, probiotics are the "good" bacteria in the gut. An appropriate amount of probiotics can regulate the balance of intestinal flora, inhibit harmful bacteria, promote nutrient digestion and absorption, and enhance immunity.

1. Maintaining Gut Health

Probiotics can maintain the balance of intestinal flora in chickens by inhibiting harmful bacteria that can cause infections and inflammation. They can even effectively prevent certain pathogens, thereby protecting intestinal health. Probiotics maintain gut health through various mechanisms:

1. Probiotics can survive stomach acid and reach the intestines, where they compete with pathogens. This competition includes bacterial colonization and nutrient competition, which inhibits the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria and balances the gut's microbial community, reducing the risk of infection.
2. Probiotics produce organic acids (such as lactic acid and propionic acid) in the intestines that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Lysozyme can also kill these harmful pathogens.

2. Growth Promotion

1. When probiotics enter the digestive tract, they can produce enzymes such as amylase, protease, and lipase, which promote the digestion and absorption of feed, thereby stimulating growth.
2. The metabolic products of probiotics can also produce various vitamins and integrate different trace elements, increasing the nutritional content of feed and promoting growth.
3. Probiotics can produce polyenzymes, which eliminate the anti-nutritional effects of xylan and polyenzymes.

3. Immune Enhancement

Probiotics and their metabolites can stimulate lymphatic tissue in the intestinal mucosa to produce mucosal antibodies. They can also enhance the proliferation and phagocytic activity of macrophages and induce the body to produce interferons that inhibit viral replication in living organisms. This series of effects strengthens the immune system.

4. Odor Reduction

Probiotics and their metabolites can effectively decompose harmful gases such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, nitrite, and trimethylamine in feces, whether in the intestines or externally. This reduces unpleasant odors in the environment, making the air fresher.

When should probiotics be avoided?

1. Probiotics should not be used together with antibiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria, and antibiotics can kill them, defeating the purpose of using probiotics.
2. Probiotics should not be overused, as excessive amounts can disrupt the balance of intestinal flora.
3. Probiotics cannot solve all intestinal problems. They are ineffective against intestinal issues caused by parasites or viruses.