8
|
Intraview
The effective
way to cope
with stress
Intra
Nutri-Mix:
The increased production performance of modern poultry husbandry is associated with an
increasing number of stress factors. Some stressors are avoidable (overcrowding, poor ventilation
or dehydration) and some are unavoidable (vaccination, handling, transport or beak trimming).
Prolonged or intense stressors trigger chemical and physiological changes, which can have a
tremendous impact.This leaves poultry farmers with the following question: How can we control
the negative effects of (unavoidable) stress in the modern poultry sector?
When chickens experience stress, their natural flight or fight response stimulates the production
of corticosterone. Corticosterone leads to the depletion of glycogen, increased plasma glucose
concentrations and finally to increased pH levels in the intestines, because high blood
glucose levels are inversely correlated to low intestinal acid secretion.This provides a suitable
environment for bacteria and fungi, which increases the risk of gastrointestinal diseases.
Propionic
acid
