Are there any alternatives to using antibiotics in a subtherapeutic manner that will have the same effects on animals?
A. The most basic alternative is adjusting the living conditions of livestock to ones that are more natural and allow the animals to express their natural behaviors. Living conditions should include: access to outdoors, sunshine, fresh air, and shelter; ample space and freedom of movement; pasture for ruminant animals; and, appropriate clean, dry bedding material. Chickens should be able to spread their wings and take “dustbaths,” cows should have grass to graze in, and pigs should be able to display their natural curiosity and rooting behavior. Disease and mortality would be significantly reduced if the crowded, stressful, and unsanitary conditions of concentrated animal feeding operations were eliminated. There have been a variety of studies that have looked into alternatives to antibiotics. A few of the studies were presented in an article that appeared in FASS on January 14, 2002. Some of the research revealed that cytokines, probiotics, enzymes, and herbs – such as garlic, echinac
