Abstract
Heat stress poses a significant challenge to poultry production, impairing welfare, productivity, and health. This study compared the efficacy of three mitigation strategies—enhanced ventilation, dietary supplementation (vitamin C and chromium), and reduced stocking density—in alleviating heat stress effects in broiler chickens. A 2×2×2 factorial design was employed with 960 broilers subjected to cyclic heat stress (35°C for 8 h/day) from 21 to 42 days of age. Parameters measured included growth performance (body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio), physiological stress indicators (corticosterone levels, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase), and immune responses (antibody titers). Enhanced ventilation significantly improved feed conversion ratio and reduced mortality (P
Keywords
heat stress, poultry, ventilation, dietary supplementation, stocking density, corticosterone, oxidative stress, broiler