Brazil poultry industry focuses on climate control and nutrition

The Brazilian poultry industry is focusing on two key areas to improve profitability and bird welfare: environmental control and nutritional optimization.

Managing heat stress has become a strategic priority due to rising temperatures. Because chickens have high metabolic rates and lack efficient sweat glands, excessive heat reduces feed consumption and increases mortality risks. Modernizing poultry houses with improved 'ambiência'—controlling temperature, humidity, and air quality—is essential to prevent mass mortality during summer months, especially in high-density systems.

Simultaneously, new research involving eight million broilers in Brazil's Midwest region highlights the benefits of specialized nutrition. A study conducted by NOVUS, UFRGS, and Bello Alimentos found that replacing inorganic zinc sulfate with bi-chelated zinc can significantly improve carcass quality. The use of organic minerals resulted in a 70% reduction in appearance defects and a 68% reduction in total skin lesions, reducing industrial losses and improving product standardization.