IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Genetic selection towards faster growing birds and higher breast yield has made the modern broilers more vulnerable to high temperatures. It is known that nowadays the negative effects of heat stress in commercial strains are observed at lower temperatures than several decades ago.
Besides the negative effects of heat stress on the oxidative status of the animals, egg quality, reproductive performance, gut health and immune response, exposure to high temperatures also impairs the quality of poultry meat.
The pH changes in the muscle during the first 24 h after slaughter are important for the quality of the meat, because a very low pH or a relatively low pH combined with a high temperature of the carcass will lead to protein denaturation.
Whenever proteins are denatured, the muscles can not hold water and the meat appears pale, soft and exudative.
In normal conditions, after slaughter the metabolism in the muscles continues for a certain time. During this post-mortem period the glycogen is transformed into lactic acid through a process called glycolysis, which lowers the pH.
In heat stressed birds, glycolysis is accelerated, leading to a very low pH in the muscle, while the temperature of the carcass is still high due to the hot environment.
Poultry and poultry meat are particularly susceptible to oxidative reactions. As we explained in this article, high temperatures increase the oxidative stress of the birds, causing:
The risk of carcass contamination by foodborne pathogens, such as E. coli and Salmonella, increases during the episodes of heat stress. There are two main reasons:
The administration of essential oils, especially during the finisher stages, improves the quality of the carcass after slaughter:
GrowthPlus© is added to feed to maintain and improve digestive health. It is formulated with synergistic ingredients:
It is especially useful in cases of gizzard diseases, necrotic enteritis, feed passage and other enteritis. It is also used as a natural growth promoter and to replace antibiotic growth promoters.
PhytoShield© is an oral emulsion that contains essential oils, electrolytes and vitamins intended to promote growth, reduce oxidative stress, and keep the animals hydrated.
PlusBreathe© contains essential oils with natural antiseptic, antioxidant, expectorant and mucolytic activity. It has a refreshing taste.
It is indicated to improve the functioning of the respiratory system and to mitigate heat stress in birds, ruminants, pigs and rabbits of all ages. It can also be nebulized in the farm environment.
PlusProtect Digestive© is intended for digestive health in birds and rabbits of all ages. It is formulated with synergistic ingredients:
PlusProtect Digestive© is useful to improve gut health in the following cases:
SupraPlus© is intended to maintain and improve digestive health and to improve hydration in poultry, ruminants and swine of all ages. It is given through drinking water and is formulated with synergistic ingredients:
It is especially useful during the first week of life, to promote a healthy development of the digestive system and improve hydration; in case of digestive diseases, to improve gut health and restore the levels of electrolytes; in episodes of heat stress, to prevent digestive problems, restore the levels of electrolytes and fight with the body oxidation caused by free radicals.
Certain health statements may not be applicable in your region.