Probiotic for poultry: better guts, stronger eggshells, fewer downgrades

As UK free-range egg producers face growing pressure from retailers and consumers to deliver consistent quality and high welfare standards, eggshell strength and gut health in poultry are becoming key performance indicators. Fragile shells lead to more downgraded eggs, lower packer returns, and tighter margins.

That’s why more producers are turning to probiotics for poultry, like with Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622 – commercially known as Bactocell – to support gut health and improve eggshell integrity.

Eggshell integrity starts in the gut

“Calcium retention is essential for maintaining shell strength, but it’s the bird’s gut health that determines how well this mineral’s absorbed,” explains Hannah Elliott, monogastric technical manager at Lallemand Animal Nutrition.

Recent research confirms that supplementing layer diets with Bactocell can significantly improve both gut health and eggshell quality. A 62 trial meta-analysis over two decades and across 25 countries, comparing non-supplemented birds with Bactocell-supplemented birds showed:

“These improvements directly reduce the number of downgraded eggs, supporting consistent quality and better returns for producers,” Hannah notes. 

Why Bactocell works

Bactocell was specifically selected due to its ability to produce the L+ form of lactic acid from indigestible sugars, providing a direct energy source for birds and creating a favourable gut environment.

This probiotic:

Regardless of breed or production system, studies confirm that including 100g of Bactocell per tonne of feed is an effective way to optimise bird health and support productivity.

“By improving gut health and metabolism, we’re supporting mineral absorption, overall bird resilience, welfare, and performance.”

Practical application for producers

For farmers, the benefits of improved gut health go beyond shell strength. A more mature and balanced digestive system means birds are better equipped to handle environmental stress, dietary transitions, and disease pressure. This translates into fewer losses, more consistent production, and improved welfare outcomes, key factors in meeting retailer and consumer expectations. In addition, better gut function contributes to better feed conversion and nutrient utilisation, helping producers get more value from every feed delivery.

“Supporting gut health through the targeted, specific probiotic bacteria in Bactocell helps producers meet both market demands and welfare standards, while reducing downgrades and protecting profitability,” Hannah concludes.

Meet the team

Join us at The British Pig & Poultry Fair to explore how probiotics can support gut health, reduce downgrades, and boost productivity. We’ll be sharing the latest trial results and practical advice to help your flock perform at its best.