Health management and biosecurity are perhaps the most critical aspects of poultry production. Maintaining optimum immune response in the bird is a major challenge as diseases are becoming more complex.Even after administration of good vaccine,bird may not develop required protective titre because of its inability to respond ie immunosuppression due to various reasons. Today we need to feed the bird for ‘immunity’ apart from optimal productivity. Nutritional supplements play a key role.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant and considered as "lipid soluble, chain-breaking free radical scavenger" that protects cell membranes. Vitamin E protects membranes of fast multiplying immune cells from lipid auto-oxidation, since immune cells have a high percentage of easily oxidised fatty acids in their membranes.
Vitamin E not only protects but also increases chemotaxis, macrophage adherence and the ability of macrophages to ingest germs there by enhances cell-mediated immunity.
Selenium: The trace mineral selenium (Se) is best known for its role in activating the crucial antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx). Se-GSHPx uses glutathione (GSH) to break down free radicals like peroxides. Selenium supplementation activates Natural Killer cell activity.
Vitamin E and Se work synergistically to fight against free radical damage to body cells in general and immune cells in particular
Arginine is an essential amino acid for avian species. Arginine boosts both humoral and cellular immune response. In chickens, marginal deficiency of dietary arginine is associated with poor development of the thymus and spleen.
Arginine plays a very important role as a potent immunological modulator since the cellular metabolic pathway of arginine produces nitric oxide which is required for increased activity of macrophages.
Zinc: Zinc in needed to produce a hormone which is necessary for T cell maturation. It is also acts as anti-viral. Zinc is the most important mineral to the thymus gland and thymus size measurably increases with zinc supplementation .
The magnesium (Mg) is the other required mineral for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. The Mg helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong and reduces the oxidative stress in chicks
Role of Herbal ingredients in improving immunity
Amla or Emblica officinalis: is a natural efficacious anti-oxidant with the richest natural source of vitamin C which is more stable compared to synthetic source. In addition it provides several minerals like chromium, zinc, copper and also amino acids like linolenic acids.
Amla is one of the well known immuno modulator and Immuno modulation is due to:
1. Anti oxidant property ; Protecting the immune cells
2. Critical minerals and amino acids; Stimulating activity of immune cells
3. Rising the protein levels ; Better antibody response
Phylanthus niruri having active principals like phyllanthine, is traditionally used to support the biliary and urinary systems. It is a proven an immunomodulator.
Withania somnifera, commonly known, as Ashwagandha is one of the prominent rejuvenating herbs used thousands of years. The herb is known for its antistress, adaptogenic and immunomodulatory properties.
Ashwagandha contains several active constituents including isopelletierine, withanolides, withaferins and acts as immune stimulator probably by
Each 20 ml contains
Vitamin E |
60 mg |
Vitamin C |
75 mg |
Aminoacids |
150 mg |
L Arginine |
80 mg |
Antioxidants |
5 mg |
Selenium |
10 mcg |
Manganese Sulphate |
15 mg |
Emblica officinalis, Phylanthus niruri and Withania somnifera |
3.25 mg |
Spirulina |
20 mg |
Type of bird |
Dosage |
Reasons |
Broilers |
5ml/100 birds on 2nd & 3rd wk |
ND&IBD vaccines are done |
Breeders |
5ml/100 birds upto 7wks and |
Most of live and killed vaccines given Prelay |
Layers |
5ml/100 birds twice a wk |
Most of live and killed vaccines given Prelay |
Immunocare Advanced premix
500 gm / ton of feed regularly