Ruminants 
Poultry 
Swine 
Fishes / aquaculture
PetEffect of a microencapsulated mixture of botanicals on broilers artificially infected with Eimeria
Bonetti et al., (2026). 16èmes Journées de la Recherche Avicole
For intestinal (gut) health / digestive efficiency
The avian gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a complex ecosystem, crucial for nutrient digestion, immune development, and pathogen exclusion. Gut integrity, also influenced by diet and microbiota, is vital. Disruptions, or dysbiosis, severely impair feed efficiency and health. In the post-antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) era, optimizing gut health via alternative strategies is very important for sustainable poultry production. This industry shift from growth promotion through antibiotics to gut health optimization demands a deeper scientific understanding for targeted, effective solutions.
All the products
Principles of intestinal function
The GI tract functions as a selective barrier, comprising:
- physical (e.g., tight junctions)
- chemical (digestive secretions)
- immunological (gut-associated lymphoid tissue or GALT)
- and microbiological components.
Intestinal permeability, regulated by tight junctions, controls nutrient uptake while preventing pathogen infiltration. Impaired barrier function, commonly known as “leaky gut,” leads to inflammation and reduced performance by diverting nutrients. Early post-hatch feeding is critical for rapid GI tract and GALT development, impacting long-term performance and immune function. This interconnected system highlights that effective feed additives must address multiple facets of gut health simultaneously for comprehensive benefits.
Feed additives benefits
Diverse feed additives support poultry intestinal health.
- Phytogenics, plant-derived compounds, offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory properties, improving microbiota composition and nutrient absorption.
- Organic Acids (OAs) only if protected organic acids can reach the intestine without being degraded: here they play a key role in maintaining gut health, by inhibiting pH-sensitive pathogens and supporting nutrient absorption
The multi-modal actions of these additives suggest that synergistic formulations are crucial for robust, integrated solutions.
Enhancing intestinal health and efficiency
Vetagro leverages over 40 years of microencapsulation technology to ensure targeted, slow-release delivery of active ingredients to the intestine, bypassing gastric degradation and maximizing efficacy. This advanced delivery mechanism is fundamental to product performance.
AviPower®2 utilizes selected botanicals microencapsulated in a lipid matrix, specifically designed to interfere with Eimeria spp., thereby supporting live performance in the presence of coccidia. It improves feed efficiency, restores gut integrity, and reduces intestinal lesions, demonstrating compatibility with conventional anticoccidial programs.
AviPlus®P combines botanicals and organic acids, also microencapsulated, to optimize growth performance and feed efficiency. This patented synergy improves gut integrity and nutrient digestion, reduces intestinal inflammation, and modulates microflora, being the first botanical-based zootechnical feed additive in the EU with EFSA approval.
By supporting a robust gut and efficient nutrient utilization, these products significantly contribute to improved animal performance, welfare, and the overarching goal of sustainable, antibiotic-free poultry production. This positions feed additives as crucial components of an environmentally responsible and consumer-preferred production model.
Certain statements may not apply in all geographical regions. Product labeling and associated claims may vary based on specific government requirements.