Beating the Stress: Natural Herbal Solution for Poultry Health

A stress-free environment is crucial in poultry production. There are several types, such as cold stress, heat stress, high stocking density, and diseases that can affect birds and cause many unfavourable changes. Stress reduces feed intake and growth, as well as impairs immune response and function, resulting in high susceptibility to disease. These effects are correlated with higher corticosteroid levels along with the induction of excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thus oxidative stress. Stress affects the performance, health, and welfare of commercially reared birds and alters their meat and egg quality, thus endangering the sustainability of the poultry industry.

Types of Stress in Poultry:

Biological Changes in Poultry Due to Stress:

1.????Behavioral changes

Stress leads to reduced feed intake, decreased movement and walking activity, elevation of the wings to enhance heat dissipation, and a significant increase in energy demand as the animal struggles to maintain normal homeostasis in the body.

2.????Physiological changes

Different types of stress induce oxidative stress, disrupt acid-base balance, and alter the cecal microbial profile, leading to digestive and metabolic complications.

3.????Neuroendocrine changes

Stress disturbs the hormonal balance of birds by increasing the secretion of the stress hormone, i.e., corticosterone. It also reduces the biosynthesis of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, thereby affecting reproductive function.

4.????Production changes

Under stressful conditions, animals experience higher mortality rates, reduced body weight gain, poor meat quality, and a decline in both the quality and quantity of eggs produced.

Dietary Formulation Strategies

Several approaches have been considered to boost bird immunity to overcome stress-associated effects. Of these, dietary supplementation of certain nutrients and management modifications, such as light management, are commonly considered. Following are a few examples of dietary strategies:

1.????Dietary fat

2.????Essential amino acids

3.????Dietary electrolytes

Role of Vitamin C in stress management:

Vitamin C plays a crucial role in boosting immunity, reducing stress, enhancing growth, and improving overall performance in poultry. It is required to maintain normal body metabolic activities to meet physiological requirements. It exhibits antioxidant effects. Generally, vitamin C can be synthesized by poultry, but the synthesis is reduced or the requirements for vitamin C are increased in poultry during times of environmental, nutritional, or pathological stress.

Hence, vitamin C-enriched feed is the most effective alternative to mitigate the negative impacts of stress on poultry.

Are Synthetic Vitamins as Good as Natural:

Herbo C

Herbo C is a powdered herbal blend of plants with a high vitamin C content. It provides a natural source of vitamin C for birds, which acts as an immunomodulator and stress buster in birds. Herbo C modulates cytokine secretions and histamine release, thereby showing an enhanced first line of defense. It is also a rich source of antioxidants, which help in optimizing the body's resistance against various infectious diseases and reducing mortality in young chicks. It is a natural anti-stress and apoptogenic for chicks and birds.

“Immunity, Productivity, and Stress Protection—All in One Natural Solution”

*References on request