Therapeutic alternatives to the use of antibiotics in chicken farming

This poster, originally presented at the 2024 ReAct Africa and South Centre Conference, explores the feasibility of using antibiotic alternatives such as phytotherapy in chicken farming.

Antibiotics are commonly used in broiler chicken farming to prevent disease, promote growth, and provide prophylactic benefits. However, their overuse leads to the excretion of antibiotics into the environment, accelerating the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes. These bacteria are disseminated through animal feces, contributing to environmental contamination and multi-drug resistance.

While plant extracts like thymol andcarvacrol have shown promise in improving animal health and performance of body weight gain, no studies assessed the impact of medicinal plants on antimicrobial resistance in chicken production. These extracts exhibit strong antibacterial effects invitro against pathogens like E. coli, Clostridium perfringens, and Salmonella, without affecting beneficial bacteria.