Vitamin E supplementation in heat stress situations

Heat stress reduces feed intake weight gain and worsens bird performance. It also affects the immune response thus negatively influencing their zootechnical performance. In addition it reduces the absorption and synthesis of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E and increases their excretion increasing the requirement for these nutrients in animal diets. Some methods are available to alleviate the effects of high temperatures on poultry performance. Among the various alternatives available environmental and nutritional management stand out. Considering the high cost of environmental changes dietary modifications are among the most appreciated and practiced ways to alleviate heat stress and improve poultry performance during the hot months of the year. Thus the addition of vitamin E is essential since poultry do not synthesize this vitamin and all their requirements must be met by their diet.