Comparative Efficacy of Different Supplements Used to Reduce Heat Stress in Broilers (Report‪)‬

Byline: Farina Malik Khattak, Thomas Acamovic, Nicholas Sparks, Talat Naseer Pasha, Mussarat Hussain Joiya, Zafar Hayat and Zulifqar Ali Abstract A study was conducted to compare the effects of supplemental betaine (1200 mg/kg), vitamin C (VC, 200 mg/kg), vitamin E (VE, 300 mg/kg) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3, 2 g/kg) on the performance of 250 broilers during hot (38-40degC) and humid (40-93%) environmental conditions. Body weight and feed intake was recorded weekly. On day 35 pH, anti ND virus titre (HA, HI), Na, K and Cl concentrations and total leukocytic counts (TLC) were determined blood samples. All diets containing feed supplements gave better (P less than 0.05) weight gain and FCR than control. Lowest blood pH (P less than 0.05) was observed in birds fed supplemental NaHCO3 compared to all other treatment groups. Serum Na and K levels were higher (P less than 0.05) in control group than all other supplemental groups. Maximum TLC (P less than 0.05) were observed in birds fed control diet compared to lower levels in birds fed diets containing NaHCO3.