A healthy chicken surrounded by protective probiotic bacteria and plant-based feed ingredients.

Beyond Antibiotics: How Probiotics Can Revolutionize Poultry Health

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the power of multi-strain probiotics in protecting poultry against harmful lectins and promoting healthy growth."

For decades, antibiotics have been a staple in animal feed, boosting growth and productivity in poultry farming. However, growing concerns about antibiotic resistance and their potential impact on human health have led to significant regulatory changes. The European Union and the United States have already placed restrictions on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters, and a global shift towards more sustainable and health-conscious practices is underway.

As the era of routine antibiotic use draws to a close, the search for effective alternatives has intensified. Probiotics, live microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host, have emerged as a promising solution. These beneficial bacteria can promote a healthy gut microbiome, improve nutrient absorption, and enhance the immune system, offering a natural way to support poultry health and growth.

Recent research has focused on developing multi-strain probiotic formulations that target specific challenges in poultry nutrition. One exciting area of investigation is the use of lectin-binding probiotics. Lectins, found in many plant-based feeds, can interfere with nutrient utilization and negatively impact poultry health. By selecting probiotic strains that can bind and neutralize these harmful lectins, scientists aim to create a new generation of feed additives that promote optimal growth and well-being.

What Are Lectins and Why Are They a Problem for Poultry?

A healthy chicken surrounded by protective probiotic bacteria and plant-based feed ingredients.

Lectins are proteins found in many plant-based ingredients commonly used in poultry feed, such as soybeans and wheat. While not inherently toxic, lectins can bind to the lining of the digestive tract, interfering with nutrient absorption and potentially causing inflammation. This can lead to reduced growth rates, digestive upset, and increased susceptibility to disease.

Soybean agglutinin (SBA) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) are two of the most prevalent and well-studied lectins in poultry diets. They can disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome, hindering the bird's ability to efficiently digest and absorb essential nutrients. Concanavalin A (ConA) is another lectin that may be found in alternative seeds, further compounding the issue.

Reduced Nutrient Absorption: Lectins bind to the gut lining, preventing the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals.
Digestive Discomfort: Lectins can cause inflammation and irritation in the digestive tract.
Compromised Growth: Interference with nutrient absorption can lead to slower growth rates and reduced overall productivity.
Increased Disease Susceptibility: A compromised gut microbiome weakens the immune system, making poultry more vulnerable to infections.

To combat the negative effects of lectins, researchers have explored the potential of specific probiotic strains to bind and neutralize these compounds. By selecting strains with a high affinity for SBA, WGA, and ConA, scientists aim to create a protective barrier in the gut, preventing lectins from interacting with the intestinal lining and disrupting nutrient absorption.

The Future of Poultry Farming: Harnessing the Power of Probiotics

As the poultry industry continues to evolve, probiotics are poised to play an increasingly important role in promoting animal health and sustainable farming practices. By understanding the complex interactions between probiotics, lectins, and the gut microbiome, scientists can develop targeted solutions that optimize poultry nutrition and reduce the reliance on antibiotics. The research highlighted in this article represents a significant step towards a future where poultry farming is both productive and environmentally responsible.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3920/bm2017.0199, Alternate LINK

Title: Compatibility And Safety Of Five Lectin-Binding Putative Probiotic Strains For The Development Of A Multi-Strain Protective Culture For Poultry

Subject: Microbiology (medical)

Journal: Beneficial Microbes

Publisher: Wageningen Academic Publishers

Authors: J.D. Babot, E. Argañaraz-Martínez, L. Saavedra, M.C. Apella, A. Perez Chaia

Published: 2018-12-07

Everything You Need To Know

What are lectins, such as Soybean Agglutinin (SBA) and Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA), and why are they problematic in poultry feed?

Lectins, like Soybean Agglutinin (SBA) and Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA), are proteins found in plant-based poultry feeds. They can bind to the digestive tract lining, interfering with nutrient absorption and potentially causing inflammation. This can lead to reduced growth rates, digestive upset, and increased disease susceptibility in poultry. Concanavalin A (ConA) is another lectin that may be found in alternative seeds, further compounding the issue.

What are multi-strain probiotics, and how do they work to improve poultry health and nutrition?

Multi-strain probiotics are live microorganisms designed to promote a healthy gut microbiome in poultry. They enhance nutrient absorption and strengthen the immune system, offering a natural alternative to antibiotics. Recent research focuses on lectin-binding probiotics, which neutralize harmful lectins like Soybean Agglutinin (SBA) and Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA), improving nutrient utilization and overall well-being. These specially selected probiotic strains create a protective barrier in the gut, preventing lectins from disrupting nutrient absorption. However, the specific composition and efficacy of multi-strain probiotics can vary.

Why are restrictions being placed on the use of antibiotics in poultry farming, and how do probiotics offer an alternative?

Restrictions on antibiotics are driven by concerns about antibiotic resistance and the potential impact on human health. The European Union and the United States have already restricted antibiotics as growth promoters, signaling a global shift towards sustainable and health-conscious practices. As routine antibiotic use declines, probiotics offer a natural way to support poultry health and growth by promoting a healthy gut microbiome, improving nutrient absorption, and enhancing the immune system. This shift necessitates further research into probiotic efficacy and strain-specific benefits.

How do lectin-binding probiotics, such as those targeting Soybean Agglutinin (SBA) and Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA), protect poultry from the negative effects of lectins?

Lectin-binding probiotics neutralize harmful lectins such as Soybean Agglutinin (SBA), Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) and Concanavalin A (ConA) found in plant-based feeds. By binding to these lectins, these probiotics prevent them from interacting with the intestinal lining, reducing inflammation and improving nutrient absorption. This leads to better growth rates, reduced digestive upset, and enhanced disease resistance in poultry. The efficacy of lectin-binding probiotics depends on the specific strains used and their affinity for different types of lectins.

What is the future role of probiotics in poultry farming, particularly concerning sustainability and reducing antibiotic use, and how does understanding lectins such as Soybean Agglutinin (SBA) and Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) play a role?

Probiotics are poised to play a crucial role in promoting animal health and sustainable farming practices, especially as the poultry industry evolves. By understanding the interactions between probiotics, lectins such as Soybean Agglutinin (SBA) and Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) and the gut microbiome, scientists can develop targeted solutions that optimize poultry nutrition and reduce reliance on antibiotics. This includes developing multi-strain probiotic formulations that target specific challenges in poultry nutrition. Further research into the long-term effects of probiotics on poultry health and the environment is essential.