Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The poultry industry faces various challenges in maintaining the health and productivity of birds, with gut health playing a crucial role in overall performance. Probiotics have emerged as a promising solution to enhance gut health and promote optimal growth in poultry production systems. This thesis aims to explore the effects of probiotics on gut health in poultry production through a comprehensive investigation encompassing various aspects of gut health, probiotic supplementation, and performance parameters in poultry. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the research topic, presenting the background of the study, problem statement, objectives, limitations, scope, significance, structure of the thesis, and definitions of key terms. The literature review in Chapter 2 comprises an in-depth analysis of existing studies on probiotics, gut health in poultry, and the mechanisms through which probiotics influence gut microbiota and overall health. Chapter 3 outlines the research methodology employed in this study, including the experimental design, sample collection, probiotic administration protocols, data analysis techniques, and statistical methods. The chapter also discusses ethical considerations and potential biases that may impact the study findings. In Chapter 4, the findings from the research are comprehensively discussed, focusing on the effects of probiotics on gut health parameters such as gut microbiota composition, intestinal morphology, immune response, and performance indicators in poultry. The results are analyzed in relation to existing literature and practical implications for poultry producers. Finally, Chapter 5 presents the conclusion and summary of the thesis, highlighting key findings, implications for the poultry industry, limitations of the study, and recommendations for future research. Overall, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the use of probiotics to enhance gut health in poultry production, offering insights that can inform best practices for sustainable and efficient poultry farming systems.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Exploring the Effects of Probiotics on Gut Health in Poultry Production" aims to investigate the potential benefits of probiotics in improving gut health and overall production performance in poultry. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of probiotics as alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production due to concerns over antibiotic resistance and consumer demand for antibiotic-free products. The research will delve into the current understanding of probiotics and their mechanisms of action in promoting gut health in poultry. By examining existing literature, the study will identify the specific strains of probiotics that have shown promise in poultry production and their potential effects on gut microbiota composition, immune function, nutrient absorption, and overall growth performance of poultry. The methodology will involve conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments to evaluate the efficacy of selected probiotic strains in improving gut health parameters in poultry. This will include analyzing the changes in gut microbiota composition, intestinal morphology, immune response, and production performance in probiotic-treated poultry compared to control groups. The findings of this research are expected to provide valuable insights into the role of probiotics in enhancing gut health and performance in poultry production. By elucidating the mechanisms of action and identifying effective probiotic strains, the study aims to contribute to the development of sustainable and efficient strategies for promoting poultry health and welfare without relying on antibiotics. Overall, this research project seeks to bridge the gap in knowledge regarding the use of probiotics in poultry production and offer practical recommendations for the industry to optimize gut health and production efficiency while reducing the reliance on antibiotics.