The gut microbiome plays a central role in livestock health, immunity, and welfare. Understanding and supporting microbiome health is becoming a key tool for reducing antibiotic dependency and improving animal wellbeing.
Microbiome science is opening new windows into livestock welfare. The connection between gut health and stress responses means that managing microbiome disruption is simultaneously a welfare and a production intervention. Animals with healthy microbiomes are better able to resist disease, experience less gut discomfort, and may even display improved emotional states through gut-brain axis effects. Conversely, the microbiome disruption caused by intensive antibiotic use creates cycles of immune suppression and pathogen vulnerability. Sustainable livestock welfare requires systemic approaches that support microbiome health through appropriate housing, nutrition, social structure, and reduced stress — not simply substituting probiotics for antibiotics in otherwise welfare-poor systems.