Introduction
Stress management in poultry has long relied on conventional practices, such as vitamin C supplementation, electrolyte supplementation, and environmental modifications, to address challenges like heat stress. While these methods have provided relief, the evolving realities of modern poultry farming, marked by complex stressors including disease pressure, oxidative damage, nutritional imbalances, and environmental fluctuations, demand a more comprehensive approach. A significant transition in this field is the adoption of chromium supplementation, either independently or in synergy with vitamin C, to address stress at its root cause.
The Impact of Heat Stress
Heat stress remains one of the most critical challenges in poultry production. Elevated temperatures trigger physiological changes such as:
- Reduced feed intake and growth rate
- Decline in eggshell quality and egg production
- Increased mortality
- Elevated blood corticosterone levels
These changes compromise immunity, impair glucose uptake due to insulin insensitivity, and accelerate muscle breakdown through gluconeogenesis. The result is a cascade of metabolic dysfunctions that traditional remedies alone cannot fully correct.
