Short-Chain Fatty Acids Regulate Poultry Feed Intake via the Hypothalamus: Receptor-Mediated and Epigenetic Mechanisms

The global poultry industry faces escalating challenges in animal welfare and production efficiency in the post-antibiotic era. Feed intake, a crucial determinant of growth, is frequently suppressed under stress, forming a key bottleneck for sustainable production. The microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis provides a novel framework to understand this complex regulation. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced from dietary fiber by gut microbiota, serve as vital chemical messengers within this axis, modulating hypothalamic feeding centers and systemic metabolism. This review summarizes SCFA biosynthesis and kinetics in poultry and examines their neural, humoral, and immune pathways to the brain. Emphasis is placed on receptor-mediated signaling, epigenetic regulation, energy sensing, and neuroimmune modulation through which SCFAs regulate feeding and reduce inflammation. Practical strategies-such as substrate engineering, microbiota modulation, and exogenous regulators-are discussed to enhance SCFA levels and poultry health. Future directions include multi-omics integration, novel additives, and predictive models to advance antibiotic-free nutrition.