by
Manu de Laet, CTS, Delacon Biotechnik GmbH
The demand for poultry meat is increasing globally as a result of increasing population and popularity. Poultry meat is a very economical source of high-quality protein that is accessible in most regions across the globe. The predominant areas of increased demand, however, are in (sub)tropical regions where not only high temperatures but, also, high humidity levels have negative impacts on the efficiency of poultry production.
The genetic factors that have been selected for growth and metabolic efficiency in broilers make them susceptible to heat stress. Faster growing breeds are more sensitive than slower growing breeds, males are more prone to reduced performance than females, and the negative effects of heat stress are increased with age.
Heat and humidity reduce performance
Heat stress is characterised as an imbalance between heat production and heat loss. Birds are unable to maintain thermoneutrality due to the environmental impact of both heat and humidity. The duration of heat stress (acute versus chronic,) the nature of heat stress (cyclic versus constant), and temperature-humidity index (THI) determine the severity of the effect on production performance.
Physiologic thermoregulation mechanisms, both to reduce heat production and to expedite heat loss, can lead to reduced production efficiency and increased mortality. Decreased activity and feed intake can lead to nutrient deficiencies and panting which can lead to respiratory alkalosis and acid/base imbalance.
In addition, increased oxidative damage, inflammation, reduced gut integrity, and an increase of stress hormone production negatively impact production efficiency as well as the quality of the final products, meat and eggs.
Phytogenics can offer comfort under uncomfortable conditions
Many nutritional adjustments, management procedures, and feed additives are used to reduce the negative impacts of heat stress. The use of phytogenic feed additives (PFA) is becoming increasingly popular as the modes of action of this technology are better understood.
Phytogenic ingredients such as assorted spices, flavonoids, and essential oils have been shown to produce positive effects in mediating the negative impacts of heat stress. A trial was conducted at University of Arkansas to assess the benefits for broiler production performance under heat stress conditions by inclusion of a specific phytogenic feed additive (Biostrong® Comfort, Delacon Biotechnik GmbH).
A total of 600, three-week-old male Cobb500 broilers were randomly assigned to environmentally controlled chambers in two environmental conditions of 12h/d cyclic heat stress (HS) (35°C) or thermoneutral (TN) (24°C) for three weeks. Relative humidity averaged approximately 27 percent in TN and 24 percent in HS chambers over the course of the experiment.
Read more HERE.
The demand for poultry meat is increasing globally as a result of increasing population and popularity. Poultry meat is a very economical source of high-quality protein that is accessible in most regions across the globe. The predominant areas of increased demand, however, are in (sub)tropical regions where not only high temperatures but, also, high humidity levels have negative impacts on the efficiency of poultry production.
The genetic factors that have been selected for growth and metabolic efficiency in broilers make them susceptible to heat stress. Faster growing breeds are more sensitive than slower growing breeds, males are more prone to reduced performance than females, and the negative effects of heat stress are increased with age.
Heat and humidity reduce performance
Heat stress is characterised as an imbalance between heat production and heat loss. Birds are unable to maintain thermoneutrality due to the environmental impact of both heat and humidity. The duration of heat stress (acute versus chronic,) the nature of heat stress (cyclic versus constant), and temperature-humidity index (THI) determine the severity of the effect on production performance.
Physiologic thermoregulation mechanisms, both to reduce heat production and to expedite heat loss, can lead to reduced production efficiency and increased mortality. Decreased activity and feed intake can lead to nutrient deficiencies and panting which can lead to respiratory alkalosis and acid/base imbalance.
In addition, increased oxidative damage, inflammation, reduced gut integrity, and an increase of stress hormone production negatively impact production efficiency as well as the quality of the final products, meat and eggs.
Phytogenics can offer comfort under uncomfortable conditions
Many nutritional adjustments, management procedures, and feed additives are used to reduce the negative impacts of heat stress. The use of phytogenic feed additives (PFA) is becoming increasingly popular as the modes of action of this technology are better understood.
Phytogenic ingredients such as assorted spices, flavonoids, and essential oils have been shown to produce positive effects in mediating the negative impacts of heat stress. A trial was conducted at University of Arkansas to assess the benefits for broiler production performance under heat stress conditions by inclusion of a specific phytogenic feed additive (Biostrong® Comfort, Delacon Biotechnik GmbH).
A total of 600, three-week-old male Cobb500 broilers were randomly assigned to environmentally controlled chambers in two environmental conditions of 12h/d cyclic heat stress (HS) (35°C) or thermoneutral (TN) (24°C) for three weeks. Relative humidity averaged approximately 27 percent in TN and 24 percent in HS chambers over the course of the experiment.
Read more HERE.
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