Poultry industry faces a lot of challenges and problems due to rising temperatures during summers. Heat stress has emerged as a critical issue, impacting the health and productivity of birds worldwide. In this article, Narsipur chemicals delve into the complexities of heat stress in the poultry industry and suggest a super cool and novel solution to overcome and flourish the producers.
Understanding Heat Stress:
Animals are divided into two groups: cold-blooded and warm-blooded animals. Birds are warm-blooded, as they have the ability to maintain their body temperature throughout the year. However, the thermoregulatory mechanisms are efficient only in thermoneutral zones, i.e., 18°C to 24°C. In chicken, the thermoneutral zone depends on body weight; amount of plumage; shape and distribution of feathers on the body; acclimatization and dehydration status. When heat production by birds is greater than heat lost, the core body temperature rises and it is the onset of HEAT STRESS.
The normal body temperature of a chicken is approximately 40 °C; if the body temperature rises more than 4 – 5 °C, the bird will die. Poultry are most susceptible to heat stress because they can’t dissipate heat due to their feathers and lack of sweat glands. Summers and high environmental temperatures are among the factors responsible for heat stress in poultry flocks. Birds are ‘Heat Stressed’ if they have difficulty in achieving a balance between body heat production and body heat loss.
Factors Contributing to Heat Stress:
Several factors contribute to heat stress in poultry:
- Ambient Temperature: High temperatures, especially in combination with high humidity, pose a significant risk. Between 18°C to 24°C birds can adjust their body temperatures. As temperature rises above 25 °C, it is the sign of development of heat stress conditions. Above 37°C it turns chronic if temperature is not controlled in time.
- Housing Conditions: Poor ventilation, overcrowding, and inadequate shade exacerbate heat stress.
- Genetics: Certain breeds may be more susceptible to heat stress than others.
- Management Practices: Inefficient feeding and watering systems, as well as improper handling during transportation, can intensify heat stress.
- Impact on Production: Heat stress exert a toll on poultry production in various ways:
- Reduced Growth Rates: Feed intake as well as feed conversion ratio (FCRs) drops, while water intake increases. Heat-stressed birds grow slowly, resulting in decreased profitability.
- Decreased Egg Production: Hens may lay fewer eggs or experience a decline in hatchability.
- Poor Meat Quality: Heat stress can compromise meat quality, leading to increased carcass condemnation rates.
- Elevated Mortality: Severe heat stress can cause heat stroke and death in poultry, resulting in economic losses for producers.
Narsipur Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. has introduced ENCIKOOL-HS, a powdered supplement designed to address heat stress issues in poultry farms. This complementary product contains a blend of electrolytes, energy, vitamins, antioxidants, and specialized ingredients aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of elevated ambient temperatures on the performance of broilers, layers, and birds under transportation. Dehydration-induced stress symptoms can manifest swiftly, leading to an abrupt increase in mortality rates. ENCIKOOL-HS is effective in mitigating the effect of high temperature not only during summer season but also on any farm located in environment with elevated temperatures.
The Active ingredient in ENCIKOOL-HS is Special Electrolytes which are crucial for managing heat stress in poultry farms by keeping birds hydrated, maintaining electrolyte balance, and supporting overall health during hot weather. When temperatures rise, poultry lose water through panting and decrease FCR. Adding electrolytes to their diet helps restore hydration and balance, which in turn helps regulate body temperature and reduces the harmful effects of heat stress on performance and welfare. Vital Vitamins acts as an antioxidant, relieve heat stress, protecting tissues from damage, as well as vitamin also support immune function and defends against heat-related infections. Glucose supplement quickly replenish energy and support metabolism, helping birds stay hydrated and better cope with heat stress. Using these supplements in poultry feed ensures healthier, more resilient birds and improved production outcomes, even in challenging weather conditions.
Sodium Bicarbonate helps to maintain the blood acid level and mineral balance, that are the important parameters for a healthy bird. It can also make the bedding in the poultry house better by lowering the amount of ammonia. This also helps in balancing the pH level of stomach and blood. Having the right pH level is important for better digestion and sound health, especially when birds are dealing with heat stress. KCl & NaCl Salts are a vital nutrient that sustain water balance and prevents dehydration. Potassium plays key role in transport of water from peripheral area into the cell through osmotic gradient. These salts also help keep the body acid balanced. At high environmental temperature, birds breathe fast to cool off, and this can make them lose too much carbon dioxide, leading to a problem called respiratory alkalosis. Adding salts is the solution for respiratory alkalosis. Food enriched with Sodium and Potassium salts taste better, hence the food consumption increases. Sodium Citrate acts as an antioxidant, plus, it balances their electrolytes, keeping them well-hydrated and stable. It helps birds absorb important nutrients like calcium and phosphorus efficiently, which is crucial when they are suffering from heat stress.
Advantages
- Improved Performance: ENCIKOOL-HS helps to maintain poultry performance by mitigating the negative effects of high temperatures on feed intake, growth rate, egg production, and overall productivity.
- Reduced Mortality: Heat stress can increase mortality rate in poultry due to dehydration, heat stroke, and metabolic imbalances. ENCIKOOL-HS mitigate these risks by helping birds cope with elevated temperature, thus reduce the mortality rate and improve flock health and welfare.
- Optimized Health: ENCIKOOL-HS contains vitamins, electrolytes, and other nutrients that support immune function and reduce the susceptibility of poultry to heat-related illness and infections, thus promoting overall health.
- Cost-Efficiency: With the small initial investment, ENCIKOOL-HS can ultimately lead to cost savings by minimizing losses in production and reducing the need for interventions such as veterinary treatments due to heat-related health issues.
- Environmental Sustainability: Maintaining optimal poultry performance with the help of ENCIKOOL-HS can contribute to a more sustainable poultry farming operation by reducing resource wastage and minimizing the environmental impact associated with fluctuations in production.