Nutritional alternatives to mitigate heat stress

Apart from using additives like organic acids, pro-prebiotics, GAA, and betaine, my experience highlights two fundamental nutritional strategies that are effective and have been validated through extensive testing on large farms:

-Balancing Digestible Amino Acids: Increasing the levels of digestible sulfur amino acids (SID SAA) as mentioned before and arginine (SID Arg) , which enhances blood circulation in the intestines (leading to more oxygen circulation and less oxidative stress) and in peripheral organs, which aids in heat dissipation. Additionally, the application of real-time analysis of raw materials is crucial to achieve best balance and avoid excess protein intake, which can lead to increased heat production.

-Electrolyte Balance: While maintaining a well-balanced electrolyte profile is important , simply replacing soda with salt is not sufficient. Especially during the acute phase of heat stress, urinary excretion of potassium (K) tends to increase significantly. Therefore, ensuring adequate potassium levels in the diet is vital, potentially within the range of 750 to 850 mg/kg.

In other direction, we have a different problem. But it could lead to the same goal.
IN Europe, with no peak trimming, we see that the hens consume more, but drink less. Due to the nipple not fit to the peaks anymore.
Here we're going more and more to increase moisture in the feed just before entering the barn. And so we have higher feed intake, less separation, and better water supply to the birds.
Birds as well dont like feed under 12% moisture

For sure, any reduction will be welcomed. But, there is "no free lunch". Chicken like water with temperature below 250C and we need to be creative to achieve it.

Edbin morans explanation on nutrient metabolism is good and appreciated.

Birds try to loose heat by panting. Extreme panting results in loss of CO2 and the electrolyte equilibrium is disturbed resulting in alkalosis which causes death. Bicarbonate ions help in restoring dietary electrolyte balance which is not possible with sodium chloride. Hence addition of sodium bicarbonate to feed will help to alleviate the heat stress

Mr. Entz, what I wanted to say is that hotter the water less positive effect will come with the addition salt to it.

Dear Dr. Moran, how nice to read your comments, bringing important consideration to the complex "multifaceted process" of heat stress. Take care

One thing is hot weather and the other is hot water. You are right on saying that birds adapts themselves to hot weather, But, there is no adaptation to hot water.

Mr. Entz, we need to consider hot weather and/or hot water. If we have hot weather and cold water, we need to preserve the water temperature based on putting the pipe line deep in the floor to maintain it cool from the origin. In this case, flushing the water helps.

However, if the water comes hot from the origin, flushing does not work. Still, new negative pressure chicken houses projects are not considering to add a cooling water system. It will come in the future! It represents almost nothing in a very expensive project.

And why is it still not available? Because we do not give the right attention to water temperature and its bad consequences in broiler production!