The importance of nutrition in preventing heat stress at poultry

SUMMARY: High production causes birds to be more sensitive to stress. Poultry are exposed to heat stress due to high ambient temperature in summer and being housed in hot regions of the world. Producers suffer economic losses as heat stress negatively affects the optimum productivity of the birds. Some adjustments in the diet can be effective in counteracting the negative effects of heat stress in poultry. Enriching the diet with vitamins E and C, and trace minerals such as selenium and zinc, which benefit antioxidant and immune systems; addition of electrolytes that maintain acid–base homoeostasis; increasing dietary energy, protein, amino acid and calcium levels to prevent nutrient deficiencies are all effective feeding arrangements in reducing/eliminating the negative effects of heat stress in poultry. Consequently, it was observed that nutrient supplementation to diets of poultry exposed to heat stress can reduce the effect of heat stress and increase bird performance, meat quality, egg production, eggshell quality and positively affects the immune and digestive systems.