Poultry production in many developing communities is frequently characterized by management challenges and low productivity and is faced with several other constraints. Of growing concern is that climate change may be impacting chicken growth and development, and ultimately overall poultry production. Temperature is considered the most important factor of all bioclimatic parameters affecting livestock. As summer approaches, poultry farmers face increased challenges in maintaining the respiratory health of their flocks. High temperatures, humidity, and ammonia buildup can lead to severe respiratory distress, impacting growth, feed conversion efficiency, and overall productivity.
The Hidden Dangers of Summer Stress in Poultry
Mammals mainly rely on sweat glands to dissipate heat and maintain body temperature balance, but poultry lack sweat glands, so they primarily dissipate heat through respiration when the temperature is too high. High-frequency breathing leads to increased susceptibility to lung tissue damage in a heat-stress environment. The heat or summer stress not only brings lowered performance in poultry but also leads to immunosuppression issues, which makes them more susceptible to bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. It results in disease outbreaks and causes heavy mortality.
Why Is Summer a Critical Period for Poultry?
- Alters antibody and cell-mediated immune responses, thereby immunosuppressing effect and increasing susceptibility to pathogens.
- Vaccine failures are common in the summer season.
- Summer stress also results in immunodeficiency and disease outbreaks in poultry.
- Heat stress in summer leads to reduced feed consumption, lower body weight gain, a high feed conversion ratio (FCR), and dehydration.
- It also causes a variety of changes in the gastrointestinal tract, including alteration of the protective microbiota as well as decreased integrity of the intestinal epithelium, increasing enteric infections such as Necrotic Enteritis.
- An increase in energy demands and high mortality are observed due to heat stress.
Observations in Poultry During Summer:
- Panting (open-mouth breathing) – Rapid, shallow breathing to promote evaporative cooling.
- Increased respiratory rate and lung injury – Faster breathing as birds attempt to release excess heat.
- Wing spreading – Birds extend their wings to enhance airflow and dissipate heat.
- Seeking ventilation – Birds move to well-ventilated areas, such as near feeders, perches, or wires, to cool down.
- Reduced feed intake – Decreased food consumption helps minimize metabolic heat production.
Poultry Management in Summer:
- Water management- Ensure clean, cool, and continuous water supply.
- Housing management- Proper ventilation, shading, and cooling techniques.
- Feed management- Adjust nutrition to support heat-stressed birds.
- General management- Biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks.
Alleviate Summer Stress Naturally
Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs, or botanicals) can alleviate the negative effects of heat stress during the summer. They are broadly defined as plant-derived bioactive compounds, often incorporated in animal feed as blends of herbs, spice extracts, and essential oils. Phytogenic feed additives enhance the first line of defence against respiratory issues that arise during summer in poultry. The bioactive components in phytogenic substances provide their positive characteristics, while the phenolic constituents in plant products act as antioxidative molecules, making them beneficial for the health and growth of poultry.