Many factors contribute to stress in animals; among them are management or husbandry practices, nutrition and environment. In tropical countries, high environmental temperatures are a major stressor especially to poultry. In general, the ideal temperature for broilers to obtain an optimum body weight is around 10-22 ºC, while in layers a temperature range from 10-30 ºC is required for optimum egg production. Above this ideal temperature, chicken performances will respond negatively.
Many factors contribute to stress in animals; among them are management or husbandry practices, nutrition and environment. In tropical countries, high environmental temperatures are a major stressor especially to poultry. In general, the ideal temperature for broilers to obtain an optimum body weight is around 10-22 ºC, while in layers a temperature range from 10-30 ºC is required for optimum egg production. Above this ideal temperature, chicken performances will respond negatively.
Many factors contribute to stress in animals; among them are management or husbandry practices, nutrition and environment. In tropical countries, high environmental temperatures are a major stressor especially to poultry. In general, the ideal temperature for broilers to obtain an optimum body weight is around 10-22 ºC, while in layers a temperature range from 10-30 ºC is required for optimum egg production. Above this ideal temperature, chicken performances will respond negatively.
HOW FEED AND NUTRITION CAN COMBAT HEAT STRESS by Zagro Technical Specialists
64 | May 2016 - Milling and Grain
any factors contribute to stress in animals; among them
are management or husbandry practices, nutrition and environment. In tropical countries, high environmental temperatures are a major stressor especially to poultry. In general, the ideal temperature for broilers to obtain an optimum body weight is around 10-22 C, while in layers a temperature range from 10-30 C is required for optimum egg production. Above this ideal temperature, chicken performances will respond negatively. However, there are ways to control or alleviate effects of heat stress to chickens and one of this is by imposing proper nutrition and feeding in the farm. Depressing the feed intake is one of the main causes of poor performance at high temperature. Adjusting the feeding practices such as wet- mash feeding, using pellet or crumble, choice feeding of calcium source and frequent feeding can help increase feed consumption. Moreover, manipulating the nutrient status of feeds can also help to reduce the effect of heat stress to poultry chickens. You can achieve this through supplementation of considerable amount of fats in the diet, which can enhance birds consumption. A diet with low protein but with a balance of limiting essential amino acids is more beneficial during a hot period than a diet containing high protein. Supplementing with additional electrolytes prevents alkalosis and a drop in feed intake that is caused by heat stress. In addition, vitamin supplementation may help improve bird performance in high temperatures. Vitamin A is poorly absorbed at high temperatures whereas Vitamin E boosts animal resistance and protects cell membranes and B-vitamins boost feed intake and improve nutrient metabolism. Hence, we can see that adjusting the chickens nutrient intake during hot periods is of great importance. Zagro, being committed in providing solutions to the needs of farm animals, has developed an innovative range of products that can help the animals counter the effects of stress. With the help of these products, birds can maximise their performance even under stressful conditions. These products include Zagrosol AD3E, Zagrosol Aminogen, Zagrosol Minpro, Amilyte and Nilstress. Zagrosol product lines are nutrient supplements via drinking water in liquid form. These oral liquids are innovatively manufactured in such a way that the bio-available nutrients like vitamin oils are completely miscible in animals drinking water even without further mixing needed. The Zagrosol AD3E contains a significant amount of fat-soluble vitamins, which can improve reproductive performance, improve fertility, hatchability and bone formation of broiler breeders. Zagrosol Aminogen is a blended liquid form of concentrated multivitamins and amino acids, which is a good supplement in improving uniform growth of flocks, weight gain and feed conversion ratio especially in broilers. Zagrosol Minpro on the other hand is an oral liquid supplement containing dietary trace and macro minerals and amino acids. It can help improve reproductive performance such as eggshell quality, hatchability, and maintain bone health. For farms that prefer using powder forms, Amilyte and Nilstress can be the option. These powder supplements are highly soluble in water and wont just settle down on the drinkers. Amilyte contains the essential nutrients vitamins, electrolytes and amino acids. It is a good fluid therapy to replenish nutrients lost due to stress and avoid further weight loss. Nilstress is a specially formulated anti-heat stress watersoluble supplement with exceptional solubility. It contains powerful combinations of a well balanced key vitamins and electrolytes needed especially at extreme temperature. At times of stress, Amilyte and Nilstress improve the birds state of hydration and get them back on feed. Chickens will always tend to suffer from stress on each day of their lives, thus countering its effect will economically improve their productivity. With Zagro essential water supplements, birds potential can be maximized. www.zagro.com