Background

Poultry production is an important part of the agricultural economy in the United States with a total economic activity of $495.1 billion. Therefore, not only is early chick/poult mortality a welfare issue but also an economic one. Stunted growth or mortality can result from dehydration and hypoglycemia, which frequently occurs during long distance transportation from the hatching to growing units. Therefore, poultry breeding companies have a great need for new methods to make poultry more resistant to dehydration and hypoglycemia.

Technology Overview

The digestive tract of birds can move digesta backward from cloaca to large intestines and small intestines, also known as reverse-peristalsis. Researchers at North Carolina State University have taken advantage of this unique characteristic of birds and developed a novel method to deliver water and nutrients to a part of the digestive tract called the ceca. The ceca consists of two pouches that house intestinal microbes, and digesta is held in the cecal pouches for approximately 6-12 hours while microbial fermentation occurs. By delivering water, nutrients, prebiotics, and probiotics directly to the ceca via administration to the cloaca, there are several benefits including rehydration, stimulation of gut development, colonization of commensal bacteria, and decolonization of pathogenic bacteria. Altogether, this method has the potential to increase the survival rate of poults that undergo stressful conditions.

Benefits

Rehydration
Improve gut health
Increase poultry survival

Applications

The method can potentially be used prior to subjecting poults to stressful conditions such as long distance travel so that they have an increased chance of survival. Additionally, the method can potentially be used in early chick/poults to improve health and promote growth.

Opportunity

NC State University is seeking an industry partner to license and commercialize the technology.

Method for Improving Hydration and Gut Health in Poultry

Patents

IP Status

Seeking