Understanding and Application of Phytogenic Feed Additives in Livestock Nutrition, Health and Production

The application of antibiotic agents in livestock production causes great animal and public safeguard concerns without any si de effects.They are more economical and easily available.Therefore, their supplementation to animals is an imperative need as potential substitutes for antibiotics.Numerous antibiotic substitutes such as enzymes, probiotics, inorganic acids, medicinal plan ts, immunostimulants, and managing systems have been applied in the livestock industry to improve livestock health and production performance.In recen t years, feed additives derived from herbs have been extensively evaluated as alternatives for antibiotic s in livestock farming systems due to their manifold biological roles and less resistance development.This chapter abridges the investigation in past, classification, m ajor functions, potential mechanisms, and bioactive compounds, effects on animal health, growth, production, and reproduction parameters, mitigating energy losses, reducing toxicity and environmental pollution, affecting elements, and possible adverse effects of these addit ives.In addition, some challenges in introducing viable, innocuous, and reasonable plant-derived antibiotic alternatives for application in livestock production have been highlighted.