Betaine and ascorbic acid modulate indoor behavior and some performance indicators of broiler chickens in response to hot-dry season

Heat stress causes lipid peroxidation in poultry, necessitating antioxidant administration. The experiment evaluated the modulating effects of betaine and ascorbic acid (AA) on indoor behavior and some performance parameters of broiler chickens during the hot-dry season. Experimental groups were: Group I (control) was daily given sterile water; Group II, betaine at 250 mg/kg; Group III, AA (50 mg/kg), and Group IV, betaine (250 mg/kg) + AA (50 mg/kg), orally for 42 days. The natural occurring dry-bulb temperature (28.0–37.0 °C), relative humidity (69.0–93.0%), and temperature-humidity index (27.9–36.1 °C) were predominantly outside the thermo-neutral zone for broiler chickens, indicating heat stress conditions. Scan test, used to assess the percentage of birds sitting/lying, panting, feeding, drinking and spreading wings, was performed at 06:00 h, 13:00 h and 18:00 h on each of days 35 and 42. Feed intakes (FD), water consumption (WC), body weight, average daily weight gain (ADG) and feed-to-gain ratio (FGR) were obtained. Betaine+AA reduced (P