Broiler production operates on narrow margins, short cycles, and at large scale, where small changes in feed conversion, growth, or livability directly affect both profitability and greenhouse gas emissions. Although thousands of trials are conducted worldwide, variable results make it difficult to identify what consistently works. This is where meta analysis adds value by combining data into one robust dataset. This provides broiler producers with evidence based insights that they can use to improve performance and sustainability.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Recent broiler meta analyses from Alltech evaluating Actigen, mannan rich fraction MRF, for gut health, Mycosorb, yeast cell wall extract YCWE, for mycotoxin mitigation and Bioplex, organic proteinated trace minerals PTM, for optimised trace mineral nutrition show that improving performance and improving sustainability go hand in hand. The papers demonstrate that when birds perform better, the environmental impact per kilogramme of meat produced is reduced. Performance and sustainability are closely connected.
Broiler production Efficient by design
Broiler meat is already one of the most efficient sources of animal protein thanks to strong growth rates, improved genetics and well planned feed programmes. For a producer, the easiest way to increase profits is to improve key performance areas, such as feed conversion ratio FCR, growth rate and livability. Even small gains in FCR can save a considerable amount of feed across large operations, translating into significant cost savings.
Feed represents roughly 70 percent of both the total cost and the carbon footprint of broiler production. That means when birds grow more efficiently and eat less feed, it does not just help the bottom line; it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, yielding substantial environmental benefits. The three studies described below show these improvements.
Mannan rich fraction
A healthy gut is the foundation of a productive broiler. When the intestines are working well, birds absorb more nutrients, stay healthier and convert feed into growth more efficiently. If gut health suffers, growth slows, feed use becomes less efficient, and mortality can rise. A 2024 meta analysis in Animals looked at how feeding yeast MRF affects broiler performance
- Feed conversion ratio FCR improved by 2.2 percent
- Average daily gain ADG increased by 6.3 percent
- Livability improved by 21 percent, moving from 5.2 percent to 4.1 percent
There is a bonus, because as birds grow more efficiently, the farm carbon footprint is reduced. Using performance outputs from the meta analysis in a simulated life cycle assessment LCA, researchers estimated a 2.4 percent reduction in feed related greenhouse gas emissions intensity and a 2.1 percent reduction in total emissions intensity per kilogramme of live weight.
Because feed production accounts for most broiler emissions, improvements in feed efficiency reduce carbon intensity. Birds reach market weight using fewer resources, reducing both upstream crop production emissions and downstream manure outputs. Gut health optimisation, therefore, becomes both a productivity and climate strategy.
Mycotoxins and YCWE
Mycotoxins remain one of the most pervasive and underestimated threats to broiler performance. A 2022 meta analysis published in Poultry Science reviewed how mycotoxin exposure affects broiler performance and how YCWE can help mitigate these effects.
Impact of mycotoxins without any protection
- Body weight gain dropped by 217 grammes
- Feed intake dropped by 264 grammes
- FCR worsened by 0.12
- Mortality increased by 2 percent
These losses do not just hurt productivity; they also increase greenhouse gas emissions, because birds take longer to reach market weight and eat more feed overall.
Impact of YCWE Mycosorb supplementation under mycotoxin challenge
- Body weight gain increased by 59 grammes
- Feed intake increased by 65 grammes
- FCR improved by 0.05
- Livability improved by 1.74 percent
Improved European Production Efficiency Factor when modelled through LCA
- Control birds achieved 1.93 kg CO2 equivalent per kg live weight
- Mycotoxin challenged birds achieved 2.13 kg CO2 equivalent per kg live weight
- Mycotoxin challenged birds with YCWE supplement achieved 2.03 kg CO2 equivalent per kg live weight
That means YCWE can help save 25 metric tonnes of CO2 per 100,000 birds, while keeping growth and feed efficiency on track. Protecting birds from hidden feed threats is a win for both the farm bottom line and the environment.
Organic proteinate trace minerals
Trace minerals are essential for a bird metabolic processes. However, traditional inorganic trace minerals are often poorly absorbed, can interact negatively with other feed ingredients, and are frequently over formulated to compensate for these shortcomings.
Organic proteinate trace minerals, such as those found in Bioplex, differ because the minerals are bound to amino acids and peptides, forming a proteinate structure that protects them throughout the digestive tract. This makes it much easier for the bird to absorb and utilise the mineral. Because Bioplex minerals are more bioavailable and less reactive, they can be fed at lower inclusion rates and still meet the birds needs, while reducing the amount of minerals excreted into the environment. This improves both on farm performance and sustainability without increasing feed costs.
A 2025 meta analysis published in Animals evaluated the effects of replacing inorganic trace minerals with PTM.
Performance outcomes
- Body weight gain increased by 4.29 grammes per bird
- Average daily gain increased by 0.36 grammes per day
- Feed conversion ratio improved by 1.26 percent
- Livability improved by 10.95 percent
Even better results were seen when PTM replaced inorganic minerals at reduced levels, specifically 50 to 80 percent of standard
- Daily feed intake decreased by 1.07 grammes per bird
- FCR improved by 7.6 points
- Average daily gain increased by 1.67 grammes per day
- Livability increased by 0.64 percent
Mineral excretion reductions
- Zinc excretion decreased by 15 percent
- Copper excretion decreased by 16 percent
- Manganese excretion decreased by 21 percent
- Iron excretion decreased by 14 percent
Better absorption means less mineral waste in litter and a lower environmental load. LCA modelling showed a 4.5 percent reduction in feed related emissions intensity, a 4.1 percent reduction in overall life cycle emissions per kilogramme live weight and a 3.5 percent reduction in gross carbon emissions. These improvements stem from enhanced bioavailability and feed efficiency, reinforcing the claim that precise mineral nutrition can drive measurable sustainability gains.
What it all means for broiler producers
The next stage of progress demands data driven improvements. Evidence based nutrition enables broiler operations to produce more meat with fewer resources, lower emissions and greater confidence in sustainability reporting. The evidence from recent large scale analyses published in Animals and Poultry Science demonstrates that gut health support via MRF improves growth and lowers emissions intensity. Furthermore, mycotoxin mitigation with YCWE protects productivity and offsets carbon increases caused by mycotoxins in the feed. Also, organic proteinate trace mineral supplementation enhances feed efficiency while reducing mineral excretion and life cycle emissions.
These findings confirm the idea that productivity and sustainability can move in the same direction. For broiler producers, the message is clear, incremental improvements in feed efficiency and flock health are not merely operational gains. They are measurable climate solutions.
Not all products mentioned in this article may be available in your market, and statements made are not reflective of specific regions. References available upon request.
Author: Dr Harriet Walker, Alltech