11 Aug 2025
Rethinking poultry health: From gut to growth
Experts at the Malaysia Poultry Workshop shared strategies to tackle flock health challenges, spotlighting solutions for heat stress, gut health, and antibiotic-free production.
The Malaysia Poultry Workshop united leading voices in livestock science, poultry business, and feed innovation to tackle a critical challenge in Southeast Asia: optimizing flock health and productivity amid rising temperatures and antimicrobial resistance.
Held over two days, the event was themed ‘Powering Poultry’s New Frontier — From the Inside Out’. Co-hosted by SCC Corporation and Jefo Nutrition, it attracted integrators, farm managers, nutritionists, and consultants from across the region. Attendees earned 15 CPD points toward professional development.
Trends and shifts in Malaysia’s poultry landscape
Jeffrey Ng, Consultant to the Federation of Livestock Farmers Association (FLFAM), opened with a detailed breakdown of livestock trends in Malaysia.
Citing the latest statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, he highlighted the poultry sector’s economic impact and evolving consumer demand post-Covid. His analysis underscored local production challenges.
Managing heat stress in tropical climates
Jefo China’s Technical Director, Zhou Lei, followed with a presentation on ‘Optimizing Poultry Health in Tropical Climates’, focusing on heat stress management.
“As environmental temperatures rise, poultry experience significant heat loss through four mechanisms—convection, radiation, evaporation, and conduction,” said Mr Zhou.
He demonstrated how heat loss increases exponentially beyond 30°C, with evaporation becoming the dominant method of thermoregulation.
Mr Zhou stressed the importance of housing design, ventilation strategies, and water availability. These factors are especially critical in tropical countries like Malaysia, where temperatures often exceed 32°C.
“A proactive approach to heat stress saves lives and improves growth rates,” he concluded.
Beyond antibiotics: Rethinking gut health
David Marks, Intensive Livestock Consultant at Livestock Solutions and Services Ltd, challenged conventional thinking in his presentation titled ‘Beyond Antibiotics: Managing Gut Health for Optimal Flock Health and Productivity’.
He warned that not all Bacillus species are beneficial. Some probiotics can unintentionally support pathogens or escape the gut, causing systemic issues.
“Gut health isn’t just about abundance—it’s about stability, diversity, and balance,” said Mr Marks.
He urged the industry to shift from prophylactic antibiotic use to gut-based management strategies. His toolkit for producers included early-life (first seven days) interventions, robust feed management, targeted gut health protocols, and disease control strategies.
The workshop concluded with a dynamic panel discussion. Speakers explored trends such as enzyme innovations, antibiotic-free production, and microbiota-focused research.
