Body temperature of acclimated broilers during exposure to high temperature

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Physiology
• Environmental Stress

Background:

• Broilers are susceptible to heat stress, impacting their health and productivity.
• Acclimation strategies may enhance broiler resilience to extreme temperatures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effect of short-term thermal acclimation on broiler body temperature (Tb) during heat exposure.
• To evaluate acclimation's impact on heat stress mortality in broilers.

Main Methods:

• Broilers were acclimated for 4 days to either control (21°C) or cycling (24-35-24°C) temperatures.
• Both groups were exposed to acute heat (41°C, 23°C dewpoint) for 210 minutes.
• Body temperature was monitored at 30-minute intervals.

Main Results:

• Acclimated broilers exhibited significantly lower body temperatures from 90 to 210 minutes of heat exposure compared to controls.
• Heat-acclimated broilers demonstrated significantly reduced mortality rates.
• Acclimation enabled broilers to stabilize their body temperature above normal levels during heat stress.

Conclusions:

• Short-term heat acclimation enhances broiler resistance to heat exposure.
• Body temperature is a more sensitive indicator of acclimation than mortality.
• Acclimation strategies can improve broiler welfare and survival under thermal stress.