This article explains what probiotics and prebiotics are and how they can be used to help prevent digestive infections, improve chick growth and health and often replace antibiotics as treatments for certain illnesses.

Probiotics
The digestive system of birds is very easily upset. Any slight stress causes a reduction in the blood supply to the gut. The biochemical conditions then change reducing the effectiveness of the gut and increasing the risk of infection by harmful bacteria. Keeping the gut topped up with beneficial digestive bacteria keeps the bad bugs under control and ensures that as much of the food as possible is actually absorbed into the bloodstream. This is the job of a probiotic.

We have two different probiotics, Potent Brew which is a very strong and fast acting liquid and BioPlus which is a freeze dried probiotic with added vitamins, electrolytes and herbal extracts.

Many breeders and vets have now demonstrated to themselves the superiority of our liquid probiotic Potent Brew over the traditional, freeze dried probiotics. Potent Brew works so well because it contains bacteria that act immediately they get into the gut (they don't have to rehydrate themselves like dried probiotics do) and it also contains enzyme components for active food digestion. However only buy Potent Brew in small quantities, as it is a live product with a short shelf life (generally 3-4 months).

.In pet birds, it is not advisable to give Potent Brew too frequently (no more than once a week unless you have a specific problem i.e. gut infection).  This is because Potent Brew can help bring birds into breeding condition which in a pet can be manifested by aggression.

If you wish to give a probiotic on a regular basis, we recommend that you use BioPlus rather than Potent Brew.  Whilst not as effective or fast acting, BioPlus has a 2 year shelf life and contains a prebiotic (see below) that conditions the gut environment to favour the friendly bacteria.  BioPlus should be used two to three times a week to ensure that your bird is well protected from digestive disorders.

If your bird had been on antibiotics, it is vital that you use a probiotic after the course has been finished.  Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria and this leaves your birds' gut flora depleted, if not detroted altogether.  At this point, there is as much chance of the bad bacteria from colonising the gut as there is the friendly ones. By using a probiotic such as Potent Brew or Bioplus you can ensure that the bacteria going into your bird's digestive system are the right ones.

Prebiotics
Prebiotics are generally herbal extracts. They act by altering the gut environment to favour beneficial bacteria and create a less attractive gut environment for disease causing organisms. Many pre-biotics actively attack dangerous organisms (the garlic extract in BioPlus is a good example as is our Flourish technology). The Flourish herbs also stimulate the immune system so again reinforcing the bird's ability to fight off infections.

We started using prebiotics (and immuno-stimmulants) in breeder products (Feast and ProBoost SuperMax) to help early chick growth and health. We have been so impressed by the results that we have now extended their use into sick bird products (Poly-Aid and PDD Food) and are now introducing "healthy bird" products with this wonderful ingredient too (BirdPark Essentials and the new specialist product simply called Flourish) .

Antibiotics
Antibiotics are generally drugs which, in many countries, are only available from a veterinary surgeon. In the past inappropriate use of these powerful drugs has led to the development of many resistant strains of germs. So now we find many diseases simply don't respond to the drugs we have relied on for so many years.

Having said that there are times when appropriate drugs are effective and you should always consult your veterinary surgeon about these issue.

Because antibiotics are indiscriminate they will kill beneficial bacteria as well as the bad guys. So we always recommend the use of a probiotic after antibiotic therapy. Using a probiotic and antibiotic together should only be done with your vet's guidance as the two may conflict.

Prebiotics can safely be used with antibiotics. They will enhance the performance of the drugs as will nutritional support from products like Spark (Energise) and Poly-Aid (Survive).