Data Driven Enhancements To The Intestinal Integrity (I-2) Index: A Novel Approach To Support Poultry Sustainability

Background: Optimizing the intestinal integrity of poultry flocks through a comprehensive index measure, such as the intestinal integrity (I-2) index, could help to promote sustainable production in the poultry industry. The I(2)index is a tool for assessing the intestinal health of flocks based on flock level health and performance data, captured by Elanco Animal Health's global surveillance system, i.e., the Health Tracking System (HTSi). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationships between the proposed I(2)index and each of the following four performance parameters: average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), European production efficiency factor (EPEF), and percent livability; and compare the ability of the proposed I(2)index to predict these performance parameters with the current I(2)index. Results: The proposed I(2)index was found to produce a greater range and increased variation in flock level I(2)index scores as compared with the current I(2)index. The proposed I(2)index was found to predict the four performance measures at least as well as the current I(2)index, and the results suggested that the proposed I(2)index could be superior at predicting ADG, EPEF, and percent livability. Conclusion: Our results highlight the strength of data-driven approaches in the development and improvement of comprehensive health metrics.