What are ORGANIC ACIDS and how do they work in hens?
Organic acids are used to promote healthy guts in hens.
What are organic acids?
Organic acids are organic, carbon containing compounds that exhibit acid properties. They include short chain fatty acids (e.g. fumaric, propionic, acetic, lactic, butyric acid) which are produced by the "good" bacteria in a chickens caecum. Other examples include lactic and formic acids and long carbon chain acids.
How do they work?
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Many organic acids show antimicrobial properties by penetrating bacteria and making them leaky. Some bacteria have adapted to metabolise the acids in order to protect themselves.
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Organic acids can act as a food source for certain beneficial bacteria in the gut and are actually produced by other beneficial bacteria through nutrient fermentation, e.g. Lactobacilli, streptococci, lactococci, and enterococci.
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Due to their acidic properties, organic acids are also able to modify the pH environment within the gut to favour the more beneficial bacteria, helping them to outcompete disease-causing bacteria.
How to feed organic acids safely
Ensure you purchase a product that is suitable for using in the home. These are acids after all, so you must ensure they are safe to transport, store and handle. This is why apple cider vinegar is often used as a substitute, but sadly it lacks the benefits of organic acids. There are better products available that are safe to handle at home. Watch this space as we will be stocking some soon!
When should you feed your birds an organic acid supplement?
Organic acids can be used routinely to maintain health in a flock.
Sick birds will benefit from the antibacterial and microbiome supporting effects of organic acids as they are unlikely to be eating adequately and therefore are at increased risk of dysbiosis.
Aged hens can be fed organic acids on a long term basis as it will help them remain in good condition by supporting their gut health and immunity.
Organic acids should be fed whenever a period of stress is expected in a birds life, ideally both before, during and after the event.
References
Please note this paper was written from a perspective from the USA industry. The use of all antibiotics for growth promotion has been banned in the UK and EU since January 2006 after the first wave of growth promotors were banned in 1999.
Dittoe DK, Ricke SC, Kiess AS. Organic Acids and Potential for Modifying the Avian Gastrointestinal Tract and Reducing Pathogens and Disease. Front Vet Sci. 2018 Sep 6;5:216. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00216. PMID: 30238011; PMCID: PMC6136276.
