Principles of Competitive Exclusion Applied to Poultry

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February 14, 2025

Principles of Competitive Exclusion Applied to Poultry

Competitive exclusion is a principle in ecology that states two species competing for the same limited resource cannot coexist indefinitely—one will outcompete the other and drive it to extinction or force it to adapt. This principle, also called Gause’s Law, explains how microorganisms, animals, and plants interact when competing for resources like food, space, or nutrients.

Farming application -
In our poultry, competitive exclusion (CE) is commonly applied to gut microbiology and disease prevention. It works in two key ways:

Gut Microbiome Defense Against Pathogens: A chickens’ intestines are home to beneficial bacteria that help with digestion, immune function, and nutrient absorption. When beneficial bacteria dominate, they prevent harmful pathogens from establishing themselves by:
• Competing for nutrients: Good bacteria consume food sources before harmful bacteria can.
• Blocking attachment sites: They coat the gut lining, preventing pathogens from attaching.
• Producing antimicrobial compounds: Some beneficial microbes release acids and bacteriocins that inhibit harmful bacteria. For example, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria in the gut can outcompete Salmonella and Clostridium by denying them resources and space.

The Result: If our chickens have a strong, well-balanced microbiome, they are less likely to suffer from bacterial diseases like Salmonella, E. coli, or Clostridium perfringens (which causes necrotic enteritis). Our ongoing use of probiotics and fermented feed sources works to enhance competitive exclusion by boosting beneficial gut bacteria.

Feed Digestion & Nutrient Absorption: Since we supplement whole, raw milk, whole apple cider vinegar along with other probiotics for our birds, we are actively supporting gut health and nutrient digestion. The milk, with its enzymes and beneficial microbes encourages Lactobacillus growth, which helps in:
• Breaking down lactose and improving gut acidity (preventing harmful bacterial overgrowth).
• Enhancing digestion of fiber and proteins in the feed.

Competitive exclusion is one of nature’s best defenses against disease. By fostering a healthy gut microbiome in our chickens, we are naturally suppressing harmful bacteria while improving feed efficiency, gut health, and egg production.

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This constant cycle of investment, trade, and consumption is what scientists call the soil food web. And when that biological economy is functioning well, plants gain access to a much broader spectrum of nutrients than they could ever pull from soil on their own. The Difference Between Slogans and Proof There’s a lot of talk about regenerative farming right now. Pasture photos. Buzzwords. Marketing slogans. But real regenerative agriculture requires something more. Measurement. On our farm, we don’t just put cattle and chickens out on pasture and assume everything is working the way it should. We monitor the biology underground. That means taking soil samples and putting them under a microscope to look directly at the organisms that drive the soil food web—bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other microscopic life. It’s the difference between guessing and knowing. When you can actually see the biological community in the soil, you can tell whether the ecosystem is functioning or whether something is missing. That crosses the line from marketing language into hard biological evidence. Bulk DNA Analysis has been performed on the biological extracts we are applying to our land. This is hard proof confirmation that we are effectively inoculating our soils with tens of thousands of different species of microbes Healing Relationships with Land and Animals Our farm’s mission is simple: “As farmers, we seek to heal our relationships with land and animals. We share this healing with our patrons through the food it produces.” That healing begins with this soil food web economy. When the soil food web is functioning properly, nutrients cycle efficiently. Plants grow stronger. Pastures become more resilient to drought and stress. Animals grazing those pastures receive a more complete nutritional profile from the plants they consume. The result is healthier animals and more resilient land. And the food produced from that system? That’s the byproduct. That's why "we share this healing with our patrons through the food it produces" is the second part of our mission. When soil biology improves, nutrient density often follows because the plants—and the animals eating those plants—are operating within a healthier biological system. This is a soil sample under a microscope at 400X. The long strand is a fungal strand known as hypha. The bacteria are smaller, round, somewhat translucent. We actually review samples of our soil to be sure the correct micro organisms are present in the right ratios to ensure the soil food web is functioning properly. Raising the Bar on Regenerative Farming The word “regenerative” is being thrown around a lot these days. Sometimes it’s used meaningfully. Oftentimes, it’s used as a slogan. I’m committed to something deeper. For regenerative agriculture to mean anything, it has to be grounded in biological function, not just good intentions. That’s why this year I’ve made a decision that reflects where our priorities truly are. I've set in motion a plan to reinvest the majority of profits this season into a comprehensive soil improvement program spanning more than 400 acres of land under our management. This includes detailed biological soil analysis, targeted strategies to strengthen the soil food web, and management practices designed to support the long-term health of the entire ecosystem. When the biological economy underground is functioning well, everything above ground explodes with productivity and resilience. The Foundation of Everything We Produce At the end of the day, regenerative farming isn’t defined by labels. It’s defined by whether the land is actually getting healthier. Whether the soil biology is becoming more diverse. Whether the ecosystem is becoming more resilient year after year. That’s the work I’m committed to. That's where I'm directing the majority of our investment this season. It's not flashy, fancy or romantic -- but it's where regenerative farming truly begins and ends. Driving deeper - that's where I'll be. ☀️ Dustin

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Principles of Competitive Exclusion Applied to Poultry

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