Heat and Transport Stress in Industrial Poultry: Problems and Solution

Studies were carried out in order to identify the problems that arise in the poultry meat industry against the background of the development of heat and transport stresses. To do this, regularities were established in changes in poultry productivity during different seasons of the year in the conditions of an industrial poultry complex located on the territory of Chelyabinsk oblast. The analysis of production indicators was carried out for five seasons (including transitional ones). To evaluate the effectiveness of the developed feed additive, the indicators of poultry productivity, as well as the quality and safety of meat, were studied. For the experiment, two groups ( n = 50) were formed, control and experimental. The feed additive PIK-Antistress-T at a dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight was introduced into the main diet of experimental birds 6 days before transportation and slaughter. The birds in the preslaughter period were exposed to high ambient temperatures. Production indicators are presented by the poultry farm, and the assessment of the quality and safety of poultry meat was carried out by standard methods. Data were processed using Statistica 12 software using the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U-Test. In the summer period, in comparison with the winter and transitional seasons, a general twofold increase in bird losses was noted. In summer, less meat was received by an average of 17.6 t from each facility, including meat of the first grade by 19.6%, and a decrease in the productivity index by 48.37 units was observed. The use of the stress-protective feed additive PIK-Antistress-T 6 days before transportation and slaughter, in conditions of high ambient temperature, made it possible to increase the productivity index by 16.2 units, meat yield by 13.4%, and grade by 46.3%. The use of the feed additive did not reduce the veterinary and sanitary characteristics of meat nor its nutritional and biological value. The meat of the control and experimental groups was safe in terms of the content of heavy metals.