Dietary strategies to alleviate high-stocking-density-induced stress in broiler chickens – a comprehensive review

Abstract

Stocking broilers at a high density has been a strategy to optimize the area of the cage and hence increase the efficiency of broiler production. If the environmental (microclimate) conditions and rearing management are not properly managed, stocking broilers at a high density may, however, result in stressful conditions that are harmful for the production, health and welfare of broilers. To ameliorate these unfavorable effects of overcrowding stress, dietary interventions have been conducted. Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, plant-derived products, vitamins, propolis, amino acids, fatty acids, etc. have been supplemented in diets to deal with the harmful impact of stress induced by a high stocking density of broilers. This review covers the detrimental effects of overcrowding-induced stress on broiler development and attempts to ameliorate those negative effects by dietary interventions.