Broiler Water Balance and Thermobalance During Thermoneutral and High Ambient Temperature Exposure

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of heat distress (HD) on broiler water balance and thermobalance criteria including heat production, nonevaporative heat loss, evaporative heat loss (EHL), respiration rate, and apparent respiration efficiency (ARE). In the first experiment, 24 Cobb x Cobb chicks were precision fed feed and water at 3.5 and 8.5% of body weight, respectively, to determine HD effects on combined fecal and urinary water excretion. Exposing chicks to 35 C for 4 h increased water loss by 64% compared with birds housed at 24 C. In the second experiment, 10 precision-fed, colostomized birds were placed in individual respiratory chambers at 49 days of age and sequentially exposed to 24 and 35 C environments; water was consumed ad libitum. Water consumption and excretion increased (P < .05) by 78 and 133%, respectively, during HD. The increased water excretion was largely accounted for via hypo-osmotic urine with increased (P < .05) osmolar and free water clearance. Evaporative cooling (r = .73), ARE (r = .73), urine production (r = .72), and free water clearance (r = .74) were all correlated (P < .05) with water consumption. Plasma Na + and K + decreased (P < .05), whereas CI" increased (P < .05) during HD. In the third experiment, supplementing the drinking water of chicks with .75% KC1 increased (P < .05) water consumption by 91%, EHL by 20%, and ARE by 26.7%. The current studies suggest that broiler chicks adjust water consumption and renal handling of water during acute HD and that such handling impacts EHL. (

Effects of vitamin C and E dietary supplementation on erythrocyte parameters of layer chickens reared in high ambient temperature and humidity

“…As a consequence, birds increase water consumption to compensate for this water loss and to increase heat dissipation capacity, as observed throughout the experimental period, particularly in the control group. However, water retention is reduced due to higher electrolyte excretion in urine and feces (Belay & Teeter 1993). The reported values of 7.06-9.37 g/100 ml Hb, fl MCV by Islam et al (2004) in commercial and local chickens reared in the hot Sylhet region of Bangladesh are in agreement with those obtained in the present study.…”

Carcass and meat quality traits of chickens fed diets concurrently supplemented with vitamins C and E under constant heat stress

“…The experimental period began on day 28 when the chickens were reallocated four per cage in three environmental chambers (5.00 × 3.00 × 2.65 m): two chambers were thermoneutral (maintained at 24°C) and one of heat stress (maintained at 32°C). These temperatures were selected based on Belay and Teeter (1993) and Teeter et al (2009). Each chamber housed 32 wire cages.…”

Blood Plasma Mineral Profile and Qualitative Indicators of the Eggshell in Laying Hens in Different Housing Systems

“…Traces of magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc were also found in the egg cuticle. Plasma mineral concentrations during the laying period can be influenced by many factors; such as laying rate and energy requirements (Suchý et al 2001), partial quantitative feed restriction (Sahin and Kucuk 2001), mineral supplements (Eren et al 2004), ambient temperature (Siegel 1995;Donoghue et al 1990;Ching 1992;Belay and Teeter 1993;Večerek et al 2002), production type (Suchý et al 2004), age of hens (Cerolini et al 1990; Gyenis et al 2006), stress (Beisel 1982;Combs and Combs 1984;Tufft and Nockles 1991;Klasing 1998), exposure to heavy metals (Zralý et al 2008), etc.…”