” The chickens weren’t getting sick like they were supposed to.
So the scientists gave them 10 times the normal dose of parasites — enough to produce a severe illness. Still nothing. In fact, the birds looked like they were never infected.
Researchers were trying to hijack the chickens’ immune system to study runaway inflammation.
But the experiment failed. Instead, they stumbled upon a possible way to protect livestock from infection without antibiotics — by feeding them eggs. The eggs contain antibodies, which help keep an animal’s immune system active to fight off disease. ”
… continue reading Researchers test alternative to livestock antibiotics — eggs, Journal Sentinel, Inc., Aug. 17, 2015.
Original publication: UW-Madison startup offers antibiotic alternative to animal producers, UW–Madison News, 6.1.15.