Mandated restrictions on the use of medically important antibiotics in broiler chicken production in Canada: implications, emerging challenges, and opportunities for bolstering gastrointestinal function and health — a review

Chicken Farmers of Canada has been progressively phasing out prophylactic use antibiotics in broiler chicken production. Consequently, hatcheries, veterinarians, and nutritionists have mandated to contend with less reliance on the preventive antibiotics. A topical concern is increased risk proliferation enteric pathogens leading poor performance, mortality, compromised welfare. Moreover, gut harbors several taxa such as Campylobacter Salmonella capable causing significant illnesses humans via contaminated poultry products. This created an opportunity for research development dietary strategies designed modulate gastrointestinal environment enhanced performance food safety. Albeit inconsistent responses, literature data suggest that feed enzymes, probiotics/prebiotics, phytogenic additives can bolster health function chickens. However, much efficacy were generated at controlled settings vary significantly complex commercial production operations due variation dietary, health, environmental conditions. review will summarize implications restrictions preventative emerging Canadian programs meet processor specifications. Challenges opportunities integrating alternative be highlighted.