Tomato powder dietary inclusion. Effects on broilers subjected to heat stress

Tomatoes are an example of a tropical plant rich in lycopene (a natural carotenoid) which is very abundant globally at a relatively low cost.

4 diets were allocated, all at the expense of normal wheat offal from their ration:

1. Control diet: 0% tomato powder (TP)
2. Diet 2: 2,5% tomato powder (TP)
3. Diet 3: 5% tomato powder (TP)
4. Diet 4: 7,5% tomato powder (TP)

Heat stress induction was performed from day 21 to day 42. The temperature of the chicken coop was set at 33 ± 2 °C between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. They had a relative humidity of 81.5% for 2 hours a day.

The completion diet and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period which lasted 21 days.

Chickens fed the control diet without TP showed reduced growth performance, decreased feed efficiency and increased mortality compared to those fed diets containing TP (up to 7.5%).

Superior growth yield was observed in those birds that were fed high levels of tomato powder (TP). This is due to the fact that TP has a high antioxidant effect potential which helps mitigate negative consequences of heat stress in poultry.

Previous studies by Tawfeek (2014) and Khajali (2010) showed that supplementation with antioxidants (such as zinc, selenium, chromium, and vitamins C and E) is beneficial for improving body weight gain, feed conversion rate, lifespan, and feed consumption in birds handled under heat stress conditions.

The antioxidant properties of tomatoes have been linked to their lycopene and carotenoid contents. Antioxidant enzymes play an essential role in protecting cells against the harmful effects of increased free radical production as a result of heat stress.

The inclusion of 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% tomato powder in broiler diets can help reduce heat stress’ adverse effects on performance parameters, hematological and serum biochemical values without negative consequences.

Therefore, with the aim of improving production parameters and the health of chickens at a relatively low production cost,a 5.0% inclusion of  TP in the diet of broilers with heat stress is recommended.

Source: Tropical animal health and production. Effect of dietary tomato powder on growth performance and blood characteristics of heat stress broiler chickens.2022