Trials in Australia are showing the beneficial effects of cooled drinking water to maintain weight gain in broilers and egg shell quality in layers during periods of high environmental temperature. The effects of high environmental temperatures on poultry are a problem during summer in Australia and many other poultry-producing countries. Typically, the poultry houses in Australia are not fully-controlled environmentally and temperatures inside can increase despite the use of fans and foggers. Severe heat stress may reduce feed intake which, in turn, reduces weight gain in broilers. In layers, heat stress may cause severe reductions in egg shell quality and consequent losses to the producer.
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