Heat Stress Season Is Here Again: How It Damages Chickens From the Inside Out
When the heat hits and growth slows
In the Philippines, summer heat and humid months are part of life. But for poultry farmers, that seasonal weather can hit hard, not just in the obvious ways, but inside the birds themselves. If lately your flock’s growth is slower than expected, lower weight gain, weaker feed conversion, uneven growth among chicken breed groups, heat stress might be the hidden culprit.
It’s not only about comfort. When environmental temperature and humidity rise, chickens struggle to regulate body heat. Because chickens don’t sweat like mammals, they pant and reduce feed intake to cope. That in itself cuts down their energy for growth and production. MDPI+1
But it goes beyond reduced appetite. Heat stress triggers chemical and physiological changes deep inside, from oxidative stress to compromised gut and immune function.
What happens inside chickens under heat stress?
Research shows that when broilers are exposed to elevated temperature-humidity index (THI) — for example ~33 °C with 60% humidity — feed intake can drop as much as 30%, and body weight gain can drop by 50% or more compared with birds kept in ideal (thermoneutral) conditions. PubMed+1
At the cellular level, heat stress increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These unstable molecules damage cell membranes, proteins, and even DNA — a condition known as oxidative stress. jpsad.com+1
Moreover, oxidative imbalance under heat stress impairs antioxidant enzyme systems such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), which normally protect cells from damage. jpsad.com+1
The result? Muscle and tissue growth is compromised. Nutrient absorption in the gut may drop. Immunity weakens. Mortality and susceptibility to disease rise. Carcass yield and quality also suffer. ScienceDirect+2Poultry World+2
For layer farming operations, heat stress has additional consequences: reduced egg production, lower egg quality, and declining reproductive performance. MDPI+1
Why this matters in the Philippines
With our tropical climate, many poultry farms already deal with high ambient temperatures, humidity, and sometimes poor ventilation. Combine that with the higher metabolic needs of modern chicken breeds — bred for fast growth and high output — and the risks increase significantly. MDPI+1
When heat stress hits, feed efficiency drops, production costs rise, and profits suffer. Biosecurity, stable growth, uniform flock performance, all become harder to guarantee.
For farmers already juggling feed costs, disease risk, and market volatility, this “silent weather threat” can erode margins without warning.
How to fight back: Nutrition & protection from the inside (not just cooling)
Cooling, ventilation, shade, these help, yes. But they’re only half the solution. Research shows nutritional support plays a key role in helping birds withstand heat stress. PMC+2PMC+2
That’s where ANN’s dual-approach solutions come in:
OxiShield — Designed to support birds’ antioxidant defenses, neutralizing excess ROS, and protecting cellular and tissue integrity even under heat–humidity stress. This helps maintain healthy growth, feed conversion, and vitality.
EnteroPro — Focused on gut health and holistic development. By supporting gut integrity, nutrient absorption, and immune resilience, EnteroPro helps birds better utilize feed, even in challenging conditions.
By combining both, you don’t just react to heat stress, you build a protective buffer so your flock can perform consistently through tough seasons.
Practical steps for Philippine poultry farmers
Monitor flock performance — If feed intake drops significantly, growth slows, or you see uneven weight across the flock, consider heat stress as a factor.
Consider nutritional intervention, Especially during hot months: boost antioxidants, gut-support nutrients, immune support.
Combine with good biosecurity and housing practices, Ventilation, shade, clean water, controlled stocking density help reduce environmental heat load.
Think long-term return, not just cost, While nutritional add-ons may raise input costs, they protect against losses in growth, mortality, and feed efficiency — often saving more over the cycle.
Don’t let the heat silently eat away at your farm’s potential
Heat stress doesn’t just make chickens uncomfortable, it can quietly sabotage growth, production, and profitability. In a climate like the Philippines’, understanding and addressing that hidden threat is essential.
With smart nutritional tools like OxiShield and EnteroPro from ANN, you can give your flock protection from the inside out. Contact us today to learn how to keep your flock healthy, productive, and resilient, no matter how hot it gets.
