For a long time the approach to disease in different animals was reactionary. However, we now know more about the impacts of over-reliance on antibiotics, wormers, and other products. Using them too much builds resistance, harming the effectiveness. Luckily, there has been a big shift to prevention, ensuring animals are more resilient in the first place. Key to this is using the right animal feed to ensure animals get the right nutrition and are healthier overall.
A key innovation
One of the most crucial developments here is microencapsulated feed. Many companies have spent big money on developing feeds that can deliver the ideal mix of nutrients. Even more importantly, they ensure they can maximise benefits for animals, including better gut and rumen health.
Traditionally the preference was for medicated feed to treat disease. It included things like antibiotics and other drugs or veterinary products. However, a number of studies show better nutrition can address various problems rather than needing medications.
Mastitis
Dairy cows in particular can benefit from microencapsulated feed. It can provide ingredients to prevent mastitis. The inflammation of udder tissue can cause serious problems, including pain, higher vet bills, reducing milk yield, and harming the quality. As a result, it is a big problem for the animals and farmers. A suitable animal feed can help to tackle it.
Diarrhoea and enteric disease
Raising piglets can be very challenging for farmers. The problem is they can suffer different types of gut issues, leading to diarrhoea and enteric disease. It is especially difficult during weaning because a change in feed can cause problems. Stress and overcrowding makes things worse. The big benefit of encapsulation here is it can ensure that key things like essential oils get to the intestines rather than degrading in the stomach. As a result, it can boost gut health, making piglets grow faster and healthier.
Coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis
Poultry and various other young animals, including lambs and even kittens, can suffer coccidiosis. It’s an intestinal disease that causes diarrhoea and can even lead to death. Crucially, it can spread to other animals. Necrotic enteritis is another serious gut disease for poultry. Stress and heat can make both conditions worse. Microencapsulated feed can help by delivering essential oils and other nutrients like copper to the intestines. It improves gut health and immune response.
Aquaculture
Fish farming is an important industry, key to boosting supplies and protecting stocks in oceans, seas, lakes, and waterways. However, there is a massive risk because disease can spread rapidly in closed systems. If a single supply of water is feeding different tanks, the risk is even higher. Encapsulation is really useful here. It ensures animal feed won’t break down in the water. As a result, it can massively improve the intake of key things like vitamin C and provide better immune support for fish and shellfish.
Ulcers and digestive health
Finally, the right feeds can have a big impact on horse health. While there is less pressure of disease than with herd animals, ulcers and digestion problems can be serious. Microencapsulated feed can help in a big way. For example, it can ensure things like sodium bicarbonate make it to the hindgut, reducing the chance of ulceration. Plus, slow release nutrients can tackle oxidative stress.
Speak to us about animal health
As you can see, the right feed is essential for improving animal health. Focusing on this is much better than reacting to disease. It can provide huge benefits for animals, farmers, and consumers.
If you want high quality animal feed, speak to us. JS Hubbuck Ltd has been part of the industry for a long time, supplying essential farming products and more. You can rely on us to give you a great service every time.