What are probiotics, and how can they help turkeys? In this episode of Turkey Talk, Sheila and Gretta are joined by Dr. Bob Owen and Hannah Menges for a conversation about probiotics, gut health and the role beneficial bacteria can play in supporting healthy turkey flocks. From getting poults off to a strong start to supporting the gut after treatments or other disruptions, the group explores the practical side of using probiotics in turkey production. The episode also takes a look at the evolving science behind probiotics and what the future could hold as researchers learn more about the turkey gut microbiome. With decades of hands-on experience and plenty of discussion about what producers can look for in their own barns, this episode offers an informative look at one of the tools being used to support turkey health.
In this episode of Turkey Talk, Sheila and Gretta dive into the growing conversation around probiotics and ask an important question for turkey producers: What can probiotics do for a turkey’s gut health? Joined by poultry veterinarian Dr. Bob Owen and Hannah Menges, the conversation explores how maintaining a healthy gut can help support healthy, resilient birds.
The group discusses what probiotics actually are, the different strains and types available, and how they can be incorporated into turkey production. Dr. Owen shares decades of experience working with probiotics and explains why early-life gut development is so important, including the benefits of getting beneficial bacteria into poults as early as possible.
The conversation also covers practical considerations for producers, including when probiotics may be useful, how they can be administered, storage requirements, and how they may fit into a flock's supportive-care program. The guests discuss using probiotics following certain treatments or situations that may disrupt the gut environment, while emphasizing the importance of protecting these living organisms and following product-specific recommendations.
Finally, the episode looks toward the future of probiotic research. While there is still plenty to learn about measuring their effects, continued research into the turkey gut microbiome could help producers better understand which organisms work, when they should be used, and how they can best support flock health. As Dr. Owen puts it, the goal is ultimately to keep learning and find better ways to care for the birds.