In vitro method for detecting intestinal barrier failure in animals

An in vitro method for detecting the extent of intestinal barrier failure in an avian flock, and treating the avian flock for intestinal barrier failure, the method comprising:

• a) detecting the extent of intestinal barrier failure in an avian flock by:
• i) collecting a pooled fecal sample derived from the avian flock;
• and
• ii) determining the amount of at least one protein marker contained in the sample material;
• wherein:
• the at least one protein marker comprises an acute phase protein or a functional fragment thereof;
• and
• the amount of said at least one protein marker contained in the sample indicates the extent of the intestinal barrier failure;
• b) treating the avian population that in step a) has been found to have intestinal barrier failure by administering a zootechnical feed additive;
• wherein the zootechnical feed additive comprises a digestibility enhancer;
• a gut flora stabilizer;
• a probiotic agent;
• a praebiotic agent;
• a botanical;
• an organic acid;
• a fatty acid;
• a zeolithe;
• a bacteriophage;
• a bacteriolytic enzyme or any combination thereof;
• and wherein the acute phase protein is selected from the group consisting of:
• ovotransferrin (OTF);
• haptoglobin (HAPT or PIT54);
• C-reactive protein (CRP);
• ceruloplasmin;
• fibrinogen;
• mannan binding lectin;
• serum amyloid A (SAA);
• long chain pentraxin (PTX3);
• and a1 acid glycoprotein (AGP).