The strategic use of vitamins (Vitamins A, C, D, E, and niacin) and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and
chloride), either through the feed or water, may help the bird deal with environmental stresses. Heat
related stress increases the birds’ urinary and fecal excretion of mineral and trace elements and increased
respiration rate depletes blood bicarbonate. Therefore, vitamin and trace mineral supplementation should
be increased (provided legal limits defined by local legislation are not exceeded) to offset the anticipated
decline in feed intake during periods of hot weather. Supplementation with sodium bicarbonate or potassium
carbonate has been shown to be beneficial in reducing the effects of heat stress – probably due to their
effect on water intake.