Evaluation of Nicotinic Acid Properties on the Performance and Thermal Balance of Broilers During Heat Stress

Abstract

Four doses of nicotinic acid, added in the drinking water of broilers, were offered in order to study its effect on performance and heat production in heat stress conditions (6 h of 35° C). Doses were 15, 100, 330 and 1000 mg/L. There was no effect of dose on weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, water intake and rectal temperature. Slight changes due to the doses of nicotinic acid and heat stress in the blood parameters of the birds were noted. Heat production (kcal/h/metabolic weight) decreased in 100 and 1000 mg/L dose as compared to 15 mg/L dose. There was no benefit using nicotinic acid in those doses in heat stress alleviation.

broilers; heat stress; nicotinic acid