Adding liquid feed supplements via drinking water is an effective and simple way to support the health and performance of your herd. When animals are sick or stressed, water intake is often maintained even if feed intake decreases. This makes liquid supplements ideally suited to preventively maintain balanced health, reducing the risk of disease and helping animals cope better with challenging conditions. Although drinking water plays a crucial role in management, its importance is still often underestimated.
The importance of gut health
For optimal animal health, it is important to zoom in on gut health. The gut acts as a filter and line of defence; it not only absorbs nutrients, but also interacts with environmental factors such as medication, stress, bacteria and toxins. Through the feed and … through the drinking water.
The better the gut health, the better the vitality and the less medication is needed. Moreover, a healthy animal can use more energy for growth and production, rather than for the immune system, for example.
A healthy gut starts with a balanced microbiome. Indeed, numerous microorganisms in the gut help animals digest nutrients and defend against harmful invaders. If this microbiome becomes unbalanced, the composition of the microbiome and the production of bacterial metabolites can change, and the integrity of the gut barrier and the immune system become disrupted. This, in turn, can result in intestinal inflammation, harming intestinal function.
Using liquid supplements
Liquid feed supplements help maintain gut balance. Which supplements are suitable depends on the situation and goals of the farm. The most important thing is to start with clean water. Mainly because clean water is free of contamination and thus possible pathogens, but also because clean water promotes the action of medication and other additives. After this, mixtures of organic acids, which support digestion and preserve drinking water, can be added, or specifically formulated products to improve gut health or production results. Use is simple: with one action, a product can be started or stopped.
Wondering which supplements can help your business further? We are happy to think along with you. Feel free to contact us at info@kanters.nl.
