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Overview

Background

For years, the use of antibiotics to promote growth and weight gain in livestock has been a common practice. However, the desire of consumers for “antibiotic free” meat and pending government regulations has created the need for alternative growth promoters to be identified and developed. With increased attention on meat production by consumers, an “all-natural” replacement that would allow for the “antibiotic free” and “all-natural” labels would have even greater commercial potential.

Innovative Technology

Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed an all-natural feed additive that increases chicken broiler weight at a rate comparable to antibiotics. This additive is made from the leftovers of food production and processing allowing the additive to be made from a cheap and abundant source. When added to the water source for the first six weeks of life, the additive produced a 6% increase in weight gain compared to chickens that did not receive the additive.

Applications

Antibiotic free chicken production

Advantages

All-natural additive
Cheap source of starting material

Contact Info

UM Ventures
0134 Lee Building
7809 Regents Drive
College Park, MD 20742
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (301) 405-3947 | Fax: (301) 314-9502