Heat stress is one of the biggest challenges facing modern poultry farming. Climate change is causing global temperatures to rise, exposing poultry more frequently to extreme heat. This has a negative impact on animal welfare 🐓, productivity 📉 and the health of your animals. Recognizing the signs of heat stress and taking timely action is essential for healthy and sustainable poultry farming.

Recognize the signs of heat stress in poultry

Chickens cannot sweat, so they must lose heat through other methods. Watch for these symptoms:

🐔 Increased breathing and panting with open beak
🛋️ Less activity and more frequent sitting still
🕊️ Spread wings to dissipate heat
🍽️ Decreased feed intake and increased water consumption
🥚 In laying hens: thinner egg shells and lower egg production

In severe cases, heat stress can lead to mortality, especially in fast-growing broilers.

What causes heat stress?

The main causes are:

• High temperatures combined with high humidity 💧

• Insufficient ventilation in the barn 💨

• Occupancy density too high 🐥

• Feed with high protein content that increases internal heat production🔥

Effective solutions to heat stress

Reduce the impact of heat stress with these measures:

✅ Provide good ventilation and fresh air
✅ Always offer fresh and cool drinking water
✅ Adjust feed: reduce protein, increase fat
✅ Use nutritional supplements that strengthen poultry’s resistance

Jodoco’s natural supplements for heat support

Jodoco offers natural supplements that help poultry better cope with heat stress:

Jodobet®: natural betaine that reduces osmotic stress and supports intestinal health.
Iodoplume: combination of betaine and organic acids for additional metabolic support.
Pure C Beta: vitamin C and betaine that counteract oxidative stress.

These supplements can be administered via feed or drinking water for quick and effective support.

Protect your poultry from heat stress with Jodoco’s proven solutions.

References:

DEFRA. (2005). Heat stress in poultry. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-stress-in-poultry
ILVO. (s.j.). Heat stress in laying hens. Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research. https://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be
Agriculture and Marine Fisheries Flanders. (s.j.). Heat stress in poultry. https://www.vlaanderen.be/landbouw/hittestress-bij-pluimvee
Poultry Web. (s.j.). Note: Heat stress. https://www.pluimveeweb.nl
Aviagen. (2016, July). Broiler management in hot weather, Ross Note. https://en.aviagen.com
Cobb-Vantress. (2022, May). Heat stress. Cobb Technical Focus. https://www.cobb-vantress.com
Heatstress.com. (s.j.). Poultry – Heat stress. https://www.hittestress.nl