Game feed firm discover ground breaking new ingredient

A Scottish game feed company has launched a new probiotic additive for their feeds that has been proven to mitigate disease in game birds.

The breakthrough has come following trials undertaken by Spratt’s Game Foods in conjunction with vets and nutritionists. The triple strain probiotic additive is now being produced by Danish bioscience company Chr. Hansen before it is added to the feed at Spratt’s mill in Drumlithie, Aberdeenshire.

During tests the probiotic improved the intestinal health of game birds early in the season and reduced cases of coccidiosis

The three bacillus strains of probiotic have been selected for their individual properties against potentially harmful pathogens such as salmonella’s, E. coli and clostridia. The bacillus colonises the gut and forms a protective layer to shield the intestinal lining from harmful bacteria.

Laura Hoving, the company’s poultry technical sales manager said that the probiotic: “ensures a robust and healthy microbiome that is able to minimise negative effects of infection resulting in a healthier flock, more uniform birds, improved feed conversion and lower mortality. Happy and healthy birds mean happy gamekeepers!”

Spratt’s say that the addition of their new probiotic is the “last piece of the puzzle”.