Fighting Bad Bacteria Naturally with Jefo’s Protected Organic Acids and Essential Oils

Dr. Olufemi Babatunde, Technical Specialist – Poultry and Swine (US/Canada)

Keeping chickens healthy starts in the gut. Just like in people, the gut is home to many “good” and “bad” bacteria. When the balance shifts toward the bad ones, such as E. coli, birds can get sick, grow slower, and use feed less efficiently leading to poor performance.

For many years, farmers used antibiotics in feed to keep these bacteria under control. But with growing concerns about antibiotic resistance, the poultry industry has been moving toward more natural alternatives. That’s where Jefo’s Protected Organic Acids and Essential Oils come in.

Natural ingredients, protected for real gut impact

Organic acids and essential oils are natural products known for their strong antibacterial properties. For example, household vinegar (acetic acid) has long been used for cleaning or pickling because of its ability to kill harmful bacteria. Likewise, cloves and thyme contain natural oils that can weaken bacteria like E. coli and reduce their ability to grow.

However, to make these natural products truly effective in poultry feed, they need to survive the harsh conditions of the feed mill and the stomach and reach the intestines where the bad bacteria actually live. This is where Jefo’s protection technology makes the difference. It allows the active ingredients in our protected organic acids, and essential oils to reach the gut intact, target the bad bacteria, and help restore a healthy balance.

Proven results

A study from Northwest A&F University looked at how these protected ingredients work in broiler chickens. The results were impressive.

• Lower E. coli counts: Birds fed Jefo’s Protected Organic Acids and Essential Oils had fewer harmful E. coli in their gut compared to those fed antibiotics.
• Good bacteria stay strong: Unlike antibiotics, our blend didn’t harm beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, a key group of probiotic bacteria in the gut.
• Better gut protection: Birds on Jefo’s product showed stronger intestinal barriers, meaning their gut walls were better at keeping bacteria and toxins out of the bloodstream.
• Improved digestion: The birds also showed higher levels of digestive enzymes like maltase and sucrase, helping them get more nutrients from their feed.
• Good growth performance: Overall, birds fed Jefo’s product grew just as well as those on antibiotics but with better signs of gut health.

Conclusion

In simple terms, Jefo’s Protected Organic Acids and Essential Oils help the gut stay balanced, by reducing harmful bacteria like E. coli while supporting the good ones that aid digestion and protect the bird’s health. For producers looking to reduce antibiotic use without sacrificing bird performance, this natural approach offers a safe and effective solution.