WO2020089889A1

WO2020089889A1 - Means and methods for nourishing poultry

Info

Publication number: WO2020089889A1
Application number: PCT/IL2019/051162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alon Rosenberg; Abraham MILSTEIN; Ava Marie FIRTH; Simon Van Dalsem; Arie HALPERN
Original assignee: Kalmarna Limited
Priority date: 2018-10-28
Filing date: 2019-10-28
Publication date: 2020-05-07

Abstract

The present disclosure pertains to compositions and methods for nourishing poultry. More particularly the present disclosure concerns compositions for nourishing poultry comprising either glutamate or a combination of glutamate, butyrate and betaine and methods for improving nutritional parameters, such as feed intake, body weight gain, nutrient absorption, feed utilization and feed conversion ratio.

Description

MEANS AND METHODS FOR NOURISHING POULTRY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention generally pertains to compositions and methods for nourishing poultry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Global population is anticipated to increase from 7 to 9 billion by the mid-century. This anticipation, along with an accelerated urbanization, has led to a projected increase of annual meat production from 218 million t in 1999 to 376 million t by 2030. Consequently, this projected increase will require a 44, 132, and 75% increase in global pork, chicken, and egg production, respectively, over this period (see Gatrell, S., Lum, K., Kim, J., & sLei, X. G., (2014). Nonruminant Nutrition Symposium: Potential of defatted nucroalgae from the biofuel industry as an ingredient to replace corn and soybean meal in swine and poultry diets. Journal of animal science, 92(4), 1306-1314).

The global poultry industry has greatly expanded due to an increase in demand for chicken meat and eggs. Growth of the industry was followed by growth in research aiming at improved growth rate, feed efficiency, health status, and reduced carriage of pathogens. Manipulating feed formulations mainly aspires to improve the feed conversion ratio (FCR), which results in a lower feed requirement to achieve market weight. FCR is influenced by many variables other than animal health, such as breed, genetics and sex. However, one of the main contributors affecting FCR is the diet. Thus, for example, feed additives containing vitamins and minerals are commonly added to typical diets to support rapid growth and favorable FCR. Accordingly, protein and fat sources or digestibility should be manipulated with specialized feed additives to maximize performance with the most cost- effective feed ingredients (see Gangadoo, S., Stanley, D., Hughes, R. J., Moore, R. J., & Chapman, J. (2016). Nanoparticles in feed: Progress and prospects in poultry research. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 58, 115-126). Currently there is an unmet need for ingredients and additives in animal foods to sustain the current growth in animal production and to improve nutritional parameters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the current invention to disclose compositions for nourishing poultry comprising glutamate or a combination of glutamate, betaine and butyrate, wherein the compositions are configured to improve at least one nutritional parameter in at least 5% compared to control poultry feed.

It is another object of the current invention to disclose the compositions as defined m any one of the above, wherein the nutritional parameter is selected from a group consisting of: increasing poultry’s average daily gain; decreasing feed conversion ratio; increasing nutrient absorption and feed utilization, increasing daily feed consumption or increasing daily water consumption and any combination thereof.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose the compositions as defined m any one of the above, wherein the compositions additionally comprise sweeteners selected from the group consisting of stevia, rebaudioside A, saccharin, monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, glucose, thaumatm, fructo-oligosaccharides, and any combination thereof.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose the compositions as defined in any one of the above, wherein the compositions are administered as an additive to the normal feed of the poultry.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose the compositions as defined in any one of the above, wherein the compositions are a poultry' feed or a poultry'^· feed additive.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose the compositions as defined m any one of the above, wherein the poultry' are selected from a group consisting of fowls, chickens, quails, turkeys, pigeons, geese and duck.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose the compositions as defined in any one of the above, wherein the compositions are formulated in a form selected from the group consisting of powder, dry pre-mix , tablet, capsule, pill, feed additive, liquid, food ingredient, food additive, encapsulation, food preparation, food supplement, water additive, water-mixed additive, heat-stabilized additive, moisture-stabilized additive, consumable solution, consumable spray additive, consumable solid, consumable gel, injection, suppository, drench, and any combination thereof.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose a method for improving nutritional parameters in poultry, the method comprising: fa) providing compositions comprising glutamate or a combination of glutamate, betaine and butyrate; and (h) administering poultry with an effective amount of the compositions.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose a method of nourishing poultry : wherein the method comprising steps of: (a) providing compositions comprising glutamate or a combination of glutamate, betaine and butyrate; and (b) administering poultry with an effective amount of the compositions.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose the methods as defined m any one of the above, wherein the compositions additionally comprise sweeteners selected from the group consisting of stevia, rebaudioside A, saccharin, monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, glucose, thaumatin, frueto-oligosaccharides, and any combination thereof.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose the methods as defined m any one of the above, wherein the compositions are administered as an additive to the normal feed of the poultry.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose the methods as defined in any one of the above, wherein the compositions are a poultry feed or a poultry feed additive.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose the methods as defined in any one of the above, wherein the poultry are selected from a group consisting of fowls, chickens, quails, turkeys, pigeons, geese and duck.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose the methods as defined in any one of the above, wherein the compositions are formulated in a form selected of powder, dry pre-mix , tablet, capsule, pill, feed additive, liquid, food ingredient, food additive, encapsulation, food preparation, food supplement, water additive, water-mixed additive, heat-stabilized additive, moisture-stabilized additive, consumable solution, consumable spray additive, consumable solid, consumable gel, injection, suppository, drench, and any combination thereof.

It is yet another object of the current invention to disclose the methods as defined m any one of the above, wherein the compositions are configured to at least one of increasing poultry’s average daily gain; decreasing feed conversion ratio; increasing nutrient absorption and feed utilization, increasing daily feed consumption or increasing daily water consumption and any combination thereof

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, are adapted to remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide means and methods for nourishing poultry.

The current invention discloses compositions and methods for nourishing poultry. Specifically, the invention comprises palatable feed compositions for poultry, mainly comprising glutamate or a combination of glutamate, betaine and butyrate. These combinations serve as a poultry feed, or as a poultry' feed additive. The compositions additionally comprise caloric and non-caloric sweeteners and flavorings agents, such as for example stevia, saccharin, thaumatin and fructo-oligosaccharides. In addition, the compositions comprise preservatives, such as potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.

The compositions of the current invention have several beneficial effects, including inter alia : improving feed and water consumption; increasing poultry’s body weight, increasing nutrient absorption and feed utilization and decreasing feed conversion ratio.

The term poultry refers hereinafter to domesticated birds raised by humans for their eggs, their meat or their feathers. These birds are most typically members of the superorder Galloanserae (fowl), especially the order Galliformes (which includes chickens, quails, and turkeys). Poultry also includes other birds that are killed for their meat, such as the young of pigeons (known as squabs), but does not include similar wild birds hunted for recreation, sports or food and known as game. Traditionally the word poultry has been used to refer to wildfowl f Galliformes) and waterfowl ( Anserijbrmes ) but not to cage-birds such as songbirds and parrots. Poultry can be defined as domestic fowls, including chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks, raised for the production of meat or eggs and the word is also used for the flesh of these birds used as food.

The term glutamate refers hereinafter to a major constituent of a wide variety of proteins; consequently, it is one of the most abundant ammo acids in the human body. Under ordinary conditions a sufficient amount of glutamate is obtained from the diet that there is no need for any additional glutamate to be synthesized. Glutamate cannot cross the blood- brain barrier unassisted, but it is actively transported into the nervous system by a high affinity' transport system, which maintains its concentration m brain fluids at a fairly constant level. Glutamate is synthesized in the central nervous system from glutamine as part of the glutamate-glutamine cycle by the enzyme glutammase. This can occur in the presynaptic neuron or in neighboring glial cells. Glutamate itself serves as metabolic precursor for the neurotransmitter GABA, via the action of the enzyme glutamate decarboxylase.

Glutamate is an important functional amino acid because of its physiological and immune contributions. Dietary'- glutamate is extensively metabolized in the intestine. Furthermore, oxidation of glutamate in enterocytes is a major metabolic fate which produces oxidative fuels that are indispensable for intestinal cells proliferation and intestinal integrity and function. Additionally, glutamate restores mucous circulation and metabolism of amino acids as well as preventing the apoptosis of enterocytes (see Duan, I, Ain, I, Wu, M., Liao, P., Deng, D , Liu, G., ... & Wu, X. (2014).. PLoS One, 9(1 1), el l2357).

The term betaine refers to a concentrated form of molasses produced naturally from sugar beets. Betaine also refers hereinafter to N,N,N-trimethylglycine, which was named after its discovery in sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) m the nineteenth century. It is a small N-trimethylated amino acid, existing m zwitterionic form at neutral pH. In the 21st century, this substance is called glycine betaine to distinguish it from other betaines that are widely common in microorganisms, plants, and animals.

Natural betaine is a feed additive derived from sugar beet. Betame is used in poultry nutrition both to reduce methionine and choline requirement as a methyl donor and as an osmoprotectant to reduce performance losses in stressful conditions, such as heat and hyperosmotic stress. Betaine accumulates in the intestines, liver and kidney of broilers, serving as a methyl donor for adenosyl cysteine directly or by further demethylation in the mitochondria where it also forms glycine. Betaine has been shown to improve water transit through the enterocyte; stimulate villus growth of broilers; reduce enterocyte apoptosis and improves inflammatory responses. However, the data are equivocal, as no effect was observed when betaine w¾s fed in conjunction with an coccidial infection challenge and performance results have also been inconsistent results (see dos Santos, T. T., Dassi, S. C, Franco, C. R., da Costa, C. R., Lee, S. A., & da Silva, A. V. (2018). Influence of fibre and betaine on development of the gastrointestinal tract of broilers between 0 and 14 d of age. Animal Nutrition).

The terms butyrate or butyric acid refers hereinafter to one of the most common short- chain fatty acids (AG-CC) produced in the colon of humans and animals, as well as in the rumen from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber, undigested starch and proteins. Butyrate is physiologically produced by the microbial fermentation of dietary' fibers and plays a role in intestinal cells. Specifically, butyrate reduces the bacterial titer following gastrointestinal infections. Furthermore, one remarkable property of butyrate is its ability to inhibit histone deacetylases, which is associated with the direct effects of butyrate and results in, inter alia, gene regulation, immune modulation, cell differentiation and intestinal barrier and intestinal motility regulation (see Leonei, A.J., and J.L Alvarez- Leite. Butyrate: implications for intestinal function. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Me tab Care, 15, 2012: 474-479). Furthermore, in growing chickens, due to its bactericidal effect, butyrate modulates the intestinal flora. However, since free butyrate is characterized by a strong unpleasant, penetrating smell, it is difficult to handle in feed manufacturing and results in poor in take of the treated feed.

The composition of the current invention discloses a palatable combination of glutamate, betaine and butyrate.

The term thaumatin refers to a low-calorie sweetener and flavor modifier. The protein is often used primarily for its flavor-modifying properties and not exclusively as a sweetener. The thaumatms were first found as a mixture of proteins isolated from the katemfe fruit (Thaumatococcus daniellii Bennett) of West Africa. Some proteins in the thaumatin family of sweeteners are roughly 2000 times more potent than sugar. Although very sweet, thaumatin's taste is markedly different from sugars. The sweetness of thaumatin builds very slowly. Perception lasts a long time, leaving a liquorice-like aftertaste at high usage levels. Thaumatin is highly water-soluble, stable to heating, and stable under acidic conditions. The terms fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) oligofructose or oligofructau refer herein after to the oligosaccharide fructans, used as an alternative sweetener. It occurs naturally, and its commercial use emerged in the 1980s in response to consumer demand for healthier and calorie-reduced foods.

The term about refers hereinafter to any value being up to 5% lower or greater than the defined measure.

Given the combinations of glutamate, butyrate, betaine and the above sweeteners the taste of the compositions of the current invention is umami by for example monosodium glutamate, sweet by for example rebaudioside A and sour by for example citric acid. These tastes are palatable and well-perceived within poultry, according to the data obtained from the experiments described below.

The present invention discloses palatable feed compositions for poultry, mainly comprising glutamate or a combination of glutamate, betaine and butyrate; which are administered during the first weeks of the birds’ life.

During the first weeks after hatch, broilers need to adapt the digestive tract from a diet based on fat and easily digestible protein from the yolk to a more complex diet based on carbohydrates, less digestible and available protein, mineral sources and non-digestible components such as fibers. This change in substrate as a result of diet introduction, coupled with the insufficient ability to digest and absorb nutrients as the digestive tract is not yet mature, means that nutrient digestibility is lower in young animals. This results in an increased concentration of indigestible nutrients in the lumen of the digestive tract and elevates osmotic pressure which may lead to flow of water from the digestive tract epithelium to the lumen. High osmotic pressure can lead to inflammatory' responses and apoptosis of enterocytes, affecting nutrient digestibility and animal performance.

Furthermore, at hatch, the gastrointestinal tract of broilers is not fully developed, affecting the ability of the animal to digest and absorb nutrients. There are dramatic changes in the first few' days of age in physiological characteristics, such as expression of membrane transporters, endogenous enzyme activities and cell differentiation, and physical

/ characteristics, including villus and crypt development and the size of the digestive tract. Changes in these parameters reach a plateau between days 7 and 10, depending on the parameter observed, when the bird is classified as having a mature digestive tract.

This development of the intestinal mass is important as it correlates wath the growth rate of the chicken. Early development and maturation of the digestive tract is also important for the subsequent de velopment of other tissues and organs of the developing chicken.

EXAMPLE 1 :

The palatable compositions of the current invention comprise either glutamate or a combination glutamate, betaine and butyrate. The compositions are formulated m a form selected of powder, dry pre-mix , tablet, liquid, capsule, pill, feed additive, food ingredient, food additive, encapsulation, food preparation, food supplement, water additive, water- mixed additive, heat-stabilized additive, moisture-stabilized additive, consumable solution, consumable spray additive, consumable solid, consumable gel, injection, suppository, drench, and any combination thereof.

The compositions of the current invention are administered during the poultry’s first weeks after hatch as a discrete product or as an additive to the normal feed of the poultry.

Normal feed usually comprises inter alia·.

Energy sources, while the common energy sources in poultry' feeds include cereals and fats and oils. Cereals include for example, barley, corn (maize,), sorghum, (milo or guinea corn) and wheat.

Fats and oils include for example tallowy lard or choice white grease, poultry fat, feed- grade animal fat, yellow grease, blended animal-vegetable fat,

Protein sources include for example, canola, fish meal, peas, meat and bone meal, soybeans and cereal by-products.

EXAMPLE 2;

A trial was conducted by the inventor in the university of Murcia to determine the effect of two different formulations, once comprising glutamate and the other comprising a combination of glutamate, betaine and butyrate. The trial was designed as a maximum dose-duration trial. The trial included 216‘Ross 308’ male broiler chicks (starting at 0 day of age and harvested at 42 days of age) and 72 cages. Initially, each cage contained 3 birds, with 1 bird in each cage being euthanized for histology at day 10 of the trial. The two remaining birds continued to take part in the trial until it ended. The birds were divided to three treatment groups: (A) negative control (which constituted of a basal diet of commercial formulations with no Tonisity additives); (B) Tonisitv AviX liquid syrup (basal diet + access to liquid Avix version 21, depicted in Table 1) and (C) Tonisitv AviX dry feed-premix formulation (birds received a diet containing Avix version 2 during days 0-10 and poultry premix version 7 during days 11-42 of the trial. Compositions for both products (versions 2 and 7) are depicted in Tables 2-3.

AviX liquid concentrate was delivered m the water at a 1 : 100 dilution.

Table 1 - composition of Avix version 21.

Table 2 - composition of Avix version 2.

Table 3 - composition of poultry premix version 7.

*The composition of the‘poultry premix version T is added to the feed at 3%.

**The estimated analytical constitutes of‘poultry premix version 7’ are the following: Na -6.3%, K - 0%, Cl - 1.8%, Ca - 12.7%, Ash - 28 2%, Mg - 0.15%, P - 0% and sulphates - 0%. The birds’ dietary regimen was divided to three stages: starter diet (from day 1 to day 10), grower diet (from day 11 to day 21) and finisher diet (from day 22 to day 42). The diet composition of groups B and C was adjusted for crude protein, Na, Cl, Ca, K and ash content that the Avix premix contained.

The liquid syrup (also named PxW v21) was of a custom-made batch manufactured in Nottingham, UK on 12 Sep 2018, for Tomsity™. The syrup contained monosodium glutamate m a glucose syrup base.

The dry premix (also named Tomsity Avix v2) that was used during the starter diet (dl- dlO) was of a custom-made batch manufactured in Nottingham, UK on 12 Sep 2018. The diy premix contained betaine HC1, microencapsulated Ca-butyrate (GBM Nanoclassic from Sanluc), fructo-oligosaccharide, and monosodium glutamate in a limestone carrier. The additional dry premix (also named Tomsity Avix v7) was used during the grower diet and finisher diet (dl l-d42) and was of a custom-made batch manufactured by Nutribio on 03 Oct 2018. It contained betaine HC1, microencapsulated Ca-butyrate (GBM Nanoclassic from Sanluc), fructo-oligosaccharide, and monosodium glutamate in a limestone carrier.

The collected data concerned: body weight per pen at days 0, 10, 21, 42, average daily gain (g/d), and average daily feed intake (g/d) per pen for each interval above plus at days 1 -42, daily water intake per pen at days 0-42, feed conversion ratio as feed/gain, morbidity, mortality, histology at dlO and d42 (villi height, crypt depth, v:c ratio).

The results of this feeding trial are summarized in Table 4.

Table 4 - Results of the feeding trial:

Overall and in each phase of the trial, both the liquid and the dry premix compositions improved several nutritional parameters.

The AviX liquid supplement group had a significant reduction of ~5% in feed conversion ratio during starter and finisher stages, and improvements of 7.5% and 9.6% in average daily feed intake and daily water intake, respectively, in the starter stage. Furthermore, there was no reduction m body weight compared to control, suggesting that the liquid supplementation was contributing to better nutrient absorption and feed utilization.

As for the AviX dry premix group, in the starter phase, (days 0-10), the group experienced significant improvements in the average daily gain and body weight (6% improvement) and m the feed conversion ratio (7% reduction). In the grower phase (days 1 1 -22) a tendency towards increased average daily gain was also observed.

No effects were found on ileal histology taken at day 1 1 of the trial (villus height, thickness, crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth ratio or goblet cells per villus), suggesting that the compositions of the current inventions are safe to use and do not cause damages to the intestines.

EXAMPLE 3:

A following trial was conducted by the inventor to identify the ingredients responsible for the effects observed in the previous trail and to check whether the coupling/uncoupling of sweeteners to glutamate changes the results.

This trial included 480‘Ross 308’ chickens and lasted 35 days. The dietary regimen was divided into three stages: starter diet (from day 0 to day 10), grower diet (from day 11 to day 21) and finisher diet (from day 22 to day 35).

The diet also comprised coccidiostats administered as per commercial specifications.

The birds were divided into 48 pens (10 birds per pen), representing 16 replicates of each treatment.

Each culled or dead bird during the trial’s period was weighted and subjected to veterinary necropsy if the cause of death was not clear.

Two batches of products have been tested:

1) Treatment 2 - 500 gr (lot 6, Avix version 6); composition is described in Table 5.

2) Treatment 3 - 2000 gr (lot 3, Avix version 3-S); composition is described in Table

Both products are manufactured as powders and are reconstituted on farm to be administrated as liquid formulations. The feed used for this trial is a commercial feed and the water is non-additivated. The feed was administered as pellets. The size of the pellets used for this trial was as per breeder’s specification. The pellets used for the starter and grower stages contained 0 l 6%-0.23% sodium and 0 l 6%-0.23% chloride, whereas the pellets used for the finisher stage contained 0.16%-0.2% sodium and 0.16%-0.23% chloride. Food and water were available at all times.

Table 5 - composition of Avix version 6.

*The estimated analytical constitutes of‘Avix version T are the following: Na -11.8%, K

- 1% and Cl- 0.96%.

Table 6 - composition of Avix version 3-S.

**The estimated analytical constitutes of‘Avix version 3-S’ are the following: Na -6.5%, K - 2.8%, Cl - 7.2%, Ca - 0%, Ash - 17.1%, crude protein - 16%, Mg - 0%, P - 0% and sulphates - 0%.

The following Table 7 depicts the different treatments of this trial:

The formulations were shipped in a powdery form and stored under cool and dry conditions till use. When used, the powders were mixed with water to make up the stock solutions, as depicted in Table 8. Fresh stock solutions were prepared for week 1 and for each pulsing (T3==^: 2 days for weeks 2, 3, 4 and 5).

Table 8 - Reconstitution steps

The goal of this trial was to assess the daily water cons umption. Table 9 depicts the results of the above-described trial. Table 9 - Results of the feeding trial:

* Average of 16 pens

Claims

1. Compositions for nourishing poultry comprising glutamate or a combination of glutamate, betaine and butyrate, wherein said compositions are configured to improve at least one nutritional parameter m at least 5% compared to control poultry feed.

2. The compositions of claim 1, wherein said nutritional parameter is selected from a group consisting of: increasing poultry’s average daily gain; decreasing feed conversion ratio; increasing nutrient absorption and feed utilization, increasing daily feed consumption or increasing daily water consumption and any combination thereof.

3. The compositions of claim 1, wherein said compositions additionally comprise sweeteners selected from the group consisting of stevia, rebaudioside A, saccharin, monosaccharides, disaecharides, polysaccharides, glucose, thaumatm, fructo- oligosaccharides, and any combination thereof.

4. The compositions of claim 1, wiierein said compositions are administered as an additive to the normal feed of said poultry.

5. The compositions of claim 1 , wherein said compositions are a poultry feed or a poultry'^· feed additive.

6. The compositions of claim 1, wherein said poultry'^· are selected from a group consisting of fow'ls, chickens, quails, turkeys, pigeons, geese and duck.

7. The compositions of claim 1 , wherein said compositions are formulated in a form selected from the group consisting of pow'der, dry pre-mix , tablet, capsule, pill, feed additive, liquid, food ingredient, food additive, encapsulation, food preparation, food supplement, water additive, water-mixed additive, heat-stabilized additive, moisture- stabilized additive, consumable solution, consumable spray additive, consumable solid, consumable gel, injection, suppository', drench, and any combination thereof.

8. A method for improving nutritional parameters m poultry', the method comprising: a. providing compositions comprising glutamate or a combination of glutamate, betaine and butyrate; and

b. administering poultry with an effective amount of said compositions.

9. A method of nourishing poultry; wherein said method comprising steps of: a. providing compositions comprising glutamate or a combination of glutamate, betaine and butyrate; and

b. administering poultry with an effective amount of said compositions.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said compositions additionally comprise sweeteners selected from the group consisting of stevia, rebaudioside A, saccharin, monosaccharides, disacchandes, polysaccharides, glucose, thaumatin, fructo-oligosaccharides, and any combination thereof.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said compositions are administered as an additive to the normal feed of said poultry.

12. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said compositions are a poultry feed or a poultry feed additive.

13. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said poultry are selected from a group consisting of fowls, chickens, quails, turkeys, pigeons, geese and duck.

14. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said compositions are formulated in a form selected of powder, dry pre-mix , tablet, capsule, pill, feed additive, liquid, food ingredient, food additive, encapsulation, food preparation, food supplement, water additive, water-mixed additive, heat-stabilized additive, moisture-stabilized additive, consumable solution, consumable spray additive, consumable solid, consumable gel, injection, suppository, drench, and any combination thereof

15. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said compositions are configured to at least one of: increasing poultry’s average daily gain; decreasing feed conversion ratio; increasing nutrient absorption and feed utilization, increasing daily feed consumption or increasing daily water consumption and any combination thereof.