Advancing Turkey Health: Dr. Tim Johnson’s Groundbreaking Research on Natural Feed Additives

Turkey growers in Minnesota, whose dedicated contributions to the checkoff program fund critical research through the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council (MTRPC), can take pride in the latest advancements spearheaded by Dr. Tim Johnson of the University of Minnesota. At the recent MTGA 2024 Summer Summit, Dr. Johnson presented his research project, “Combinatorial Natural Feed Additive Approaches: Impacts on Gut Health and Disease Challenge,” which is poised to revolutionize early turkey poult development and disease resilience.

Project Overview

Dr. Johnson’s research addresses a significant gap in the existing literature regarding the effectiveness of feed additives on turkey performance. While numerous studies have explored these additives’ effects on other poultry, particularly broilers, there is a scarcity of research specific to turkeys. This project, therefore, seeks to identify combinations of natural feed additives that positively impact turkey health, focusing on early gut development and disease resistance.

Objectives and Methodology

The project is structured around three main objectives:

1. Industry-Wide Assessment: Conduct a survey among turkey growers to identify the most promising probiotic and alternative gut health solutions.
2. Evaluation of Early Gut Development: Examine the effects of selected feed additives on the gut health and performance of young turkey poults, both individually and in combination.
3. Assessment of Disease Challenge: Investigate how these feed additives impact the birds’ resistance to early bacterial challenges.

Dr. Johnson, alongside a team of industry experts, conducted a thorough literature review and an industry survey via MTGA to pinpoint the most promising feed additives. This collaborative effort led to the selection of two probiotic candidates and two non-probiotic candidates. The chosen products include Certillus (Arm and Hammer), GalliPro Fit (Chr. Hansen), Celmanax (Arm and Hammer), Ecobiol (Evonik), and BioSupreme (BVS).

Experimental Design

The experimental phase, set to begin in August, will be conducted at the University of Minnesota’s animal isolation facilities. The trial involves multiple treatment groups, including negative controls and various combinations of the selected feed additives. Each group will consist of 30 birds per pen, with the study being replicated to ensure robustness.

The trial will assess several parameters of early gut development over a two-week period, including:

• Gut morphology
• Weight gain and feed consumption
• Bacterial counts of specific gut bacteria (e.g., E. coli, Lactobacilli)
• Overall microbiome analysis

Following this initial phase, the birds will be challenged with E. coli to evaluate their disease resistance. The outcomes measured will include mortality rates, lesion presence in systemic organs, and bacterial counts in the gut.

Expected Outcomes and Impact

The primary goal is to identify combinations of feed additives that not only enhance early gut health but also bolster disease resistance. The insights gained from this study will guide turkey growers on the most effective natural feed additives, fostering healthier flocks and improving overall turkey performance.

Dr. Johnson’s work promises to establish a model for future research, promoting consistency and reliability in feed additive studies. This project exemplifies how the collaborative efforts of the MTRPC and the turkey-growing community can drive significant advancements in poultry health and industry sustainability.

Dr. Johnson’s innovative approach to improving gut health and disease resilience in turkeys underscores the importance of these efforts. As trials progress and results are shared, the Minnesota turkey industry can look forward to practical, science-backed solutions that enhance the health and performance of their flocks.

‍