The Interplay Between Nutrition and Health… How Does Feed Affect Bird Immunity?

Dr. Hashem Kamash / Chief Consultant Agricultural Engineer

Proper nutrition is the foundation for bird health and achieving high production efficiency. Therefore, feed significantly interferes with bird immunity, as it can enhance disease resistance or make birds susceptible to infection. Feed directly affects bird immunity by providing essential nutrients and promoting digestive health. Therefore, it is important to ensure the balance of feed and ensure its quality, in addition to using immune-enhancing nutritional supplements. Proper nutrition management is also key to achieving good immune performance and reducing mortality rates due to disease. Therefore, we will review how feed can affect bird immunity.

First: Essential Nutrients That Affect Immunity

1. Proteins and Amino Acids: Proteins play a pivotal role in building antibodies and immune enzymes. Amino acids such as glutamine and arginine are essential for promoting immune cell proliferation. Therefore, a lack of protein in the feed weakens the formation of antibodies and leads to a decline in immunity.
2. Vitamins : Vitamin A, for example, maintains the integrity of the mucous membranes in the respiratory and digestive systems, strengthening the immune barrier. Vitamin E and selenium act as antioxidants, reducing damage to immune cells caused by free radicals. Vitamin C increases phagocyte activity and the birds’ ability to withstand stress. Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption, which plays a role in strengthening bones and immune function.
3. Minerals: Zinc is essential for the formation of lymphocytes and activating phagocytosis. Copper helps in the formation of antioxidant enzymes. Iron contributes to the formation of red blood cells, which enhances oxygen delivery to immune cells. Selenium reduces the harmful effects of oxidative stress on immunity.
4. Fats and Oils: Unsaturated fatty acids (such as omega-3) help reduce inflammatory responses. Oxidized fats in feed can cause immune deterioration, so antioxidants should be used in the feed.

Second: Feed additives and their impact on immunity

1. Probiotics : improve gut health and boost immunity by increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids and reducing the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the gut.
2. Prebiotics : nourish the beneficial bacteria in the gut, contributing to improved digestive health and enhancing immunity.
3. Antioxidants help protect immune cells from oxidative stress. Examples include vitamin E, selenium, and polyphenols.
4. Organic acids reduce the acidity of the digestive tract, limiting the growth of harmful bacteria, such as formic acid and vinegar.
5. The impact of feed quality on bird immunity. Fungal contamination (such as aflatoxin) suppresses immunity and leads to liver damage, which reduces antibody production. Mold and fat rancidity lead to deterioration in feed quality and increased oxidative stress.

Fourth: The Role of Good Nutrition Management in Improving Immunity

1. Carefully select raw materials to avoid using feedstuffs contaminated with toxins.
2. Add antifungal agents to reduce the effects of toxins on immunity.
3. Nutrient Balance: Ensures no deficiency in vitamins or minerals important for immunity.
4. Monitor feed quality in terms of production dates and prevention of rancidity.