Managing broiler production challenges at high altitude

Abstract

This review covers the challenges of broiler chickens at high altitude, with the focus on growth performance and physiological response. The review also sheds light on nutritional and management interventions that help overcome the challenges raised at high altitude. Reduced concentration of atmospheric oxygen is by far the biggest challenge that remarkably affect growth performance and livability of broiler chickens reared in high altitude area. Broiler chickens have endured intensive genetic selection, which potentially predispose them to several metabolic disorders. Hypoxia is an overriding factor that may increase the incidence of metabolic disorders, mainly ascites syndrome at high altitude. Commercial broiler strains cannot fully achieve their genetic potential when raising at highland regions. Careful nutrition and management considerations are required to prevent metabolic disorders when raising broilers at high altitude. In ovo or in‐feed nutraceuticals such as l‐carnitine and guanidinoacetic acid as well as pharmaceuticals, texture of feed and the use of proper sources and levels of dietary energy and protein are important factors that need to be carefully considered for rearing broiler chickens at high altitude. Management strategies such as lighting programs have been shown to be effective to circumvent ascites prevalence. Special breeding programs may also be considered to develop strains with resistance to ascites.

Differential diagnosis of Eimeria species in farmed Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica)

“…Fowls breeding is the most relevant worldwide and represents a source of low-cost animal proteins. Over time, chickens ( Gallus gallus domesticus ) were object of an intensive genetic selection to respond to market demands, becoming an animal model in biomedical and biomolecular investigations through increasing the scientific knowledge ( Khajali, 2022 ). Japanese quails ( Coturnix japonica ) represent one of the valid alternatives to chickens due to their easy adaptation, low capital investments, and rapid turnover ( Berto et al .…”

Management factors associated with the survival and market weight of broiler chickens among small-scale farmers in the Dodoma City of Tanzania

“…However, broiler chickens attain optimal growth when raised under ideal conditions [ 8 , 16 ]. Effective management practices encompass various aspects, including nutrition, housing, health management, biosecurity, and flock management [ 17 ]. Temperature is one of the critical factors influencing broiler chicken production [ 8 , 18 ].…”

Impact Light Regimen and Melatonin on Growth Performance, Welfare and Physiological Parameters of Broiler Chickens

“…The rapid increase in the global population, the demand for animal protein sources, the most important of which is chicken meat, has prompted the producing companies to conduct intensive selection of broiler breeds based on some criteria such as rapid weight gain within a short period of time [1]. This choice in one direction led to the development of many undesirable traits such as increased fat deposition, high rate of metabolic diseases such as Sudden death syndrome (SDS) ascites [2], heart failure, weak lungs, low immunity, and rapid muscle growth [3], at the expense of the development of the skeleton is unable to bear the weight of the body causing deformities of the legs [4]. Light management is one of the critical management tools for poultry production at the present time [5], and the lighting systems used in broiler breeding affect the welfare of birds and their productive 1225 (2023) 012046 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1225/1/012046 2 performance [6][7][8].…”