Lactic acid bacteria and plant extract, dosed with a Dosatron every other day from day 7 to 10 until slaughter. What it is, how it acts, what to expect and how it is measured in a comparative trial between houses. No published figures in broilers yet: we say so clearly.
What MicroFeed is
MicroFeed is a liquid probiotic that contains lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus and pediococci) and plant extract, from botanical sources rich in flavonoids and polyphenols. It is applied in the drinking water of broiler chickens, with a dosing unit, from the first week and a half of the cycle until slaughter. It is developed and manufactured by Microvita in Paraguay and supported technically and commercially by Bloom.
This article answers what farm owners, veterinarians and integrators assessing probiotic alternatives ask us most: what it is, how it works, how it is used, how long the application lasts, what can be expected and how to test it on your own farm.
How it acts
- Gut flora. Lactic acid bacteria help to balance the flora of the gut. Better flora supports digestion and the use of nutrients, minerals and proteins, which are turned into growth and meat.
- Immune system. The production of lactic acid and acetic acid, together with the flavonoids and polyphenols of the plant extract, supports the birds' defences.
- Less undigested protein in the droppings. When the feed is digested better, less protein reaches the droppings: less putrefaction, less ammonia released and less odour.
- Less pressure from unwanted bacteria. With less undigested protein there is less medium for the bacteria associated with diarrhoea and health problems, such as E. coli, Salmonella and coliforms, to multiply.
- Water system. Used continuously and at a low dose, it helps to protect the water system against algae build-up.
Why in the water: the dosing unit meters the quantity constantly, distribution is even and every bird receives a similar dose, with no variation from one to the next.
What can be expected
We present the benefits as expected results, never as guarantees: better flock health, lower mortality, higher weight, better feed intake and better feed conversion (depending on management, it can speed up growth), less odour from the droppings and the litter and less ammonia in the house, better-quality litter and residues for composting, and support in keeping the water system clean of algae.
Level of evidence: results depend on the management of each farm. MicroFeed is at the stage of comparative trials on poultry farms in Paraguay. There are no published results in broilers yet, and we do not extrapolate to poultry the figures we measured in other species. When there are measured results, they will be published with their numbers.
Dose and protocol of use
- Dose: 1.5 litres of MicroFeed per 20-litre bucket of water.
- Frequency: every other day.
- Start: between day 7 and day 10 of the cycle, to be set with the farm's veterinarian.
- Duration: until the end of the cycle, between 40 and 45 days.
Step by step:
- Prepare a bucket with 20 litres of water and add 1.5 litres of MicroFeed.
- Place the suction hose of the Dosatron in the bucket.
- Close the chlorine shut-off valve.
- Open the Dosatron and wait until the whole content of the bucket has been dosed.
- Close the Dosatron and open the chlorine shut-off valve again.
MicroFeed is not dosed together with chlorine or with other additives in the same tank: they are kept apart by time of day. The application schedule is set together with the farm's veterinarian. MicroFeed helps with health management; it does not replace vaccination, management or the veterinarian.
How the effect is measured: the on-farm trial
Bloom offers farms a comparative trial: one house with MicroFeed against one house without the product, and against the farm's history of previous cycles. Bloom's technical team, which includes a technician in animal production, visits the farm during the cycle and coordinates with the farm's veterinarian. At the end of the trial a full technical and veterinary report is delivered, with all the data collected.
Suggested indicators: mortality, weight, feed conversion, odour and the condition of the litter.
Declared composition
Lactobacillus and pediococci: 1.2 × 10⁸ CFU/ml at manufacture and 3.8 × 10⁷ CFU/ml at expiry; plant extract 4%; total N 0.21%; total P₂O₅ 0.49%; total K₂O 0.22%; total Ca 0.65%; total Mg 0.05%; total S 0.04%; total B 0.01%; total Fe 0.0041%; total Mn 0.000094%; total organic carbon 1.90%; total organic matter 3.27%.
Frequently asked questions
What is MicroFeed? A liquid probiotic for the drinking water of broiler chickens, with lactic acid bacteria and plant extract.
How is it applied? Add 1.5 litres to a 20-litre bucket of water, dose it with the Dosatron with the chlorine valve closed, and then open the chlorine again.
How often is it applied and until when? Every other day, until the end of the cycle, which lasts between 40 and 45 days.
When do you start? Between day 7 and day 10 of the cycle, as set by the farm's veterinarian.
What is expected from its use? Better health, lower mortality, higher weight, better conversion and less odour. These are expected results and depend on the management of each farm.
Can it be mixed with the chlorine? Not at the same time. The chlorine is shut off during dosing and resumed at the end.
How do I know whether it works on my farm? With a comparative trial between houses and against the farm's history, with indicators of mortality, weight, conversion, odour and the condition of the litter.
Are there published results? Not yet. It is at the stage of on-farm trials, and the results will be published once they are measured.
Arrange a trial on your farm
Arrange a MicroFeed trial on your poultry farm with Bloom's technical team: talk to a technician, or write to ventas@bloom.com.py. The product page, with the protocol in summary, is at MicroFeed.