China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (1): 39-48.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2026.01.004

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Heat Stress Impacts on Thermoregulation, Production Performance, and Organismal Health in Chickens: Research Advance

ZHANG Shaoshuai1,2(), CHAI Haoliang1,3, WU Hongzhi1, HOU Guanyu1, ZHANG Minhong2()   

  1. 1.Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute,Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences,Haikou 571101,China
    2.State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding,Institute of Animal Science,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Beijing 100193,China
    3.College of Animal Science and Technology,Northeast Agricultural University,Harbin 150030,China
  • Received:2025-05-14 Online:2026-01-05 Published:2025-12-26
  • Contact: ZHANG Minhong E-mail:zss9587@126.com;zmh66@126.com

Abstract:

Heat stress is a common environmental issue in poultry production. Chickens’ skin lacks sweat glands, and their body heat regulation ability is limited under high-temperature conditions. In severe cases, this can have a negative impact on their production performance. This article expounds the key physiological and behavioral responses of chickens under high-temperature stress, including a sharp increase in respiratory rate, elevated body temperature, a significant reduction in feed intake, and a sharp increase in water intake. The underlying mechanism was analyzed, covering the activation and disorder of the neuroendocrine system (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis). Since heat stress induces a series of negative effects in chickens,impairing intestinal health, antioxidant capacity and immune function, it ultimately compromises production performance, reproductive performance and product quality. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the impact of heat stress on the body heat regulation and production performance of chickens is of vital importance in chicken production. The author reviewed the mechanism by which heat stress affects the body heat regulation and production performance of chickens, with the aim of providing theoretical basis and practical guidance for the health management and production efficiency improvement of chickens.

Key words: heat stress; chickens; body heat regulation; production performance

CLC Number: