Study suggests Fibrafid may support broilers on lower-density diets

A newly published broiler feeding study points to Fibrafid as a potentially useful tool for producers trying to protect performance while trimming nutrient density. The researchers found that supplementing standard and moderately nutrient-reduced diets with Fibrafid improved growth performance and feed efficiency, while also supporting intestinal structure, in Ross 308 broilers over a 35-day production cycle. The additive is marketed by Swiss company Phytaxis SA as a plant-based functional feed ingredient. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

The backdrop is familiar across poultry production: feed remains the largest input cost, and formulators are under pressure to lower diet costs without giving away too much in weight gain or feed conversion. That has increased interest in phytogenic additives, prebiotics, enzymes, and other non-antibiotic tools that might improve nutrient utilization or gut resilience. In this case, the study tested whether Fibrafid could help compensate for diets formulated with a 1.5% reduction in metabolizable energy and a 5% reduction in digestible amino acid density. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

According to the study summary, 432 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were assigned in a 2 × 3 factorial design to either standard or nutrient-reduced diets, with three additive treatments: no Fibrafid, 0.15% Fibrafid, or 0.25% Fibrafid. The researchers reported better final body weight and feed conversion ratio in supplemented groups, particularly at the 0.25% inclusion level. They also found improvements in jejunal morphology, including villus development and goblet cell density, changes that are commonly interpreted as signs of improved absorptive capacity and mucosal health. Carcass traits were less dramatically affected, although the study noted reduced abdominal fat in some treatments. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Fibrafid’s formulation may help explain the interest. A related publication and product materials describe it as a fiber-rich phytogenic additive made primarily from wheat straw and munj sweetcane hydrolyzed fiber, with glycerol and organic acids including lactic, citric, and benzoic acid. That positions it somewhat differently from essential-oil-centered phytogenics, with the proposed value tied not just to plant bioactives, but also to fiber effects on gut environment and nutrient use. (frontiersin.org)

Industry reaction appears limited so far, but Phytaxis has highlighted the findings publicly, emphasizing gains in weight gain, feed conversion, gut morphology, and the additive’s potential use in reduced-energy, reduced-protein diets. Independent third-party commentary was sparse in accessible sources, which means the current conversation is still being driven more by the authors and the manufacturer than by outside analysts or commercial field reports. (linkedin.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals working with broiler operations, the practical question isn’t whether a phytogenic can move a few gut histology measurements in a research setting. It’s whether the additive can reliably preserve flock performance, intestinal health, and economic return when diets are reformulated more aggressively or birds face compounding stressors. This study is encouraging because it links performance outcomes with intestinal morphology, and because related work from the same research group suggests Fibrafid may also have value under heat stress, a major concern in many production regions. But the evidence base is still early, and the study does not replace the need for commercial-scale validation across different genetics, health status, and management systems. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

There’s also a broader stewardship angle. As producers continue to reduce reliance on antibiotic growth promoters and search for more sustainable feed strategies, additives that support feed efficiency in lower-density diets could become more attractive. For veterinarians, that means these products may increasingly show up in formulation discussions, gut health troubleshooting, and cost-control planning, even if the final decision still hinges on price, consistency, and on-farm results. (hero.epa.gov)

What to watch: The next step is less about another small pen trial and more about whether Fibrafid can produce repeatable returns in commercial houses. Watch for larger field studies, peer-reviewed economic analyses, and comparative work against other phytogenic or prebiotic strategies, especially in heat stress, enteric challenge, or more sharply nutrient-reduced programs. (frontiersin.org)