Healthy guts for happy chickens
New CQUniversity PhD graduate, Dr Darwin Horyanto is hatching a more sustainable and healthier future in poultry farming with the animal nutritionist focusing his research on chicken probiotics.
His groundbreaking study demonstrated how beneficial bacteria can significantly enhance poultry gut health, reducing the reliance on antibiotics.
"My research focused on using Bacillus probiotics to improve gut health in poultry," Dr Horyantp explained.
"These bacteria support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, and outcompete harmful pathogens. By strengthening the gut environment, they help reduce the need for antibiotics.
With growing concerns about antibiotic resistance, Dr Horyanto sought to explore natural and effective alternatives for poultry health.
"Bacillus probiotics stood out because of their resilience, their ability to improve gut microbiota and their potential to replace antibiotic growth promoters without compromising performance,” he said.
“I found that Bacillus strains not only enhanced gut barrier function but also predicted molecular activity and regulatory networks involved in gut health.
"These insights could lead to more advanced probiotic formulations that improve poultry performance while reducing antibiotic reliance."
His research is already creating an impact in the industry, offering farmers a sustainable way to improve bird health, feed efficiency, and overall performance.
Throughout his PhD journey, Dr Horyanto said he found immense fulfilment in seeing his research translate into practical solutions for the poultry industry.
"Consumers benefit from safer poultry products with fewer antibiotic residues, and the food industry gains a more sustainable, antibiotic-free approach to poultry production — an important step toward responsible and safe food systems.
"It is important to understand industry needs and work on solutions with practical value will make research far more impactful and rewarding. Collaborating with industry partners and contributing to more sustainable poultry farming has been a highlight," he said.
"I also had the opportunity to present my work at an international conference on poultry intestinal health in the Philippines — a great experience made possible with CQU’s support.
“I had the best team and great support from my supervisors, Professor Dana Stanley, Dr Yadav S. Bajagai, Dr Wendy Chen and Mr Juhani von Hellens."
Dr Horyanto’s PhD was funded by his workplace Bioproton Pty Ltd, a developer and manufacturer of high-quality feed additives.
With his new qualifications, Dr Horyanto plans to continue his work in animal nutrition, focusing on innovative feed solutions like probiotics, enzymes and functional additives.
"My goal is to keep bridging research and industry, developing practical products that support animal health and performance.
"The role of the microbiota in animal health is still evolving, and there’s so much more to discover. I look forward to contributing to this growing field.”
