Stevia an effective natural additive in poultry farming?

Stevia presents itself as an interesting natural additive for poultry feed. For many years, research related to bird nutrition has focused on different dietary components that improve productive efficiency and are not expensive, such as antibiotic growth promoters. These are compounds used for therapeutic purposes to increase the health and welfare of animals, or for prophylactic purposes. Aiming to increase growth range and achieve more efficient conversion rates.

However, due to the emergence of microorganisms resistant to antibiotics and the presence of residues in poultry meat or eggs, their use in animals of productive interest has been restricted.

• This is reflected in the increase in national and international regulations, which have restricted the use of various antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) (Gaggia et al., 2010;  Grashorn, 2010;  Huyghebaert et al., 2011;  Hong et al., 2012;  Allen et al., 2013;  Pal et al., 2015;  Bauwens, 2016; FAO, 2016;  Gaddet et al., 2017).

This has opened the door for additives known as natural growth promoter (NGPs) which generate better productive yields in animals through various mechanisms. Most of which are closely linked to better intestinal health.

• In this way, natural growth promoters guarantee safety and their residues are eliminated in avian by-products. Which also allows their export in accordance with current legislation (Grashorn, 2010;  Hong et al., 2012;  Pal et al. , 2015;  Bauwens, 2016; FAO, 2016;  Gaddet et al., 2017).

The aim of this review is to broaden the knowledge about the use of natural growth promoters in poultry production. With a special focus on Stevia, as a possible alternative of natural origin to antibiotic growth promoters.