Optimizing broiler transport under hot-climate conditions: interventions across pre-transport, in-transit, and post-transport stages

Broiler transport in hot climates is associated with higher heat stress, mortality, and meat-quality defects when high temperature and humidity combine with uneven ventilation to create hot, humid thermal core zones during prolonged feed and water deprivation. This review synthesizes mitigation options across pre-transport preparation, in-transit management, and post-transport recovery, focusing on practices feasible on farms and in processing plants and using a decision-relevant framing that prioritizes controlling total deprivation time, limiting within-load heat and humidity accumulation, and providing a recovery microclimate after arrival. Pre-transport priorities include planning withdrawal as total deprivation time, minimizing catching and loading delays, and maintaining crate hygiene to reduce fecal contamination and in-crate air-quality challenges under warm, humid conditions. Dietary additives may support muscle energy buffering and oxidative status. During transit, risk may be lowered by ventilation-aware loading and stacking, checking air distribution across the load, and adjusting crating density based on weather and journey duration. Misting should be used only when airflow is adequate because adding water without ventilation can raise humidity and weaken evaporative cooling. After transport, lairage should be treated as an active recovery step with clear microclimate targets before slaughter.