Preface

Feed additives are non-nutritive preparations and formulations as well as useful microorganisms that are added to animal diets to enhance the growth, production, feed utilization, nutrient digestibility and absorption, immunity, public health, etc. This book on Natural Feed Additives Used in the Poultry Industry addresses recent information on the use of different natural feed additives in poultry nutrition with regard to growth, production and reproduction and health of poultry. This book contains 16 chapters contributed by 38 experts and scientists of animal and poultry nutrition, animal and poultry physiology, toxicology, pharmacology, and pathology, which highlights the significance of herbal plants and their extracts and derivatives, cold pressed and essential oils, fruits by-products, immunomodulators, organic acids, probiotics, nanoparticles and their role in poultry industry instead of the growth promoter antibiotics. This book provides details about the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in the poultry industry and the development of bacteria resistance to antibiotics. All chapters provide a holistic approach to how natural feed additives can provide an efficient solution to animal health, also covering the main categories of poultry, including broiler chickens, laying hens, quails, geese, ducks, and turkey. This book represents an up-to-date review of the existing knowledge on natural feed additives, both in vitro and in vivo and the basis for future research. This book is useful to the students of poultry sciences, nutritionists, scientists, veterinarians, pharmacologists, poultry breeders, and animal husbandry extension workers.