Comparative Study Impact of Heat Stress and Oxidative Stress in Broiler Welfare

The current study was conducted at “Al-Anwar Poultry Company” farm twice, the first for the heat stress (HS) group for the period and the second for the period for the oxidative stress (OS) group, to study the effect of rearing conditions with heat and (OS) stress on the welfare of broilers. In this study, 460 Ross 308 broiler chicks were used, divided into 60 chicks raised in natural conditions (C), 200 chicks raised in (HS) conditions (CH) and 200 chicks raised in (OS) conditions (adding 0.5 ml/liter of drinking water of hydrogen peroxide) (CO). As a result of the study, a significant increase in E. coli bacteria and the total account of bacteria in the (OS) group, whereas, the litter moisture increased in the (HS) treatments, especially in the last three weeks of the experiment. The weight of the droppings and the pH also increased and the percentage of clean spray decreased in both the heat and (OS) groups, the percentage of plantar fasciitis increased significantly in the (HS) group.