The use of different selenium sources and vitamin e levels as a strategy to support the performance of broilers raised in a hot climate

Broilers raised in tropical environments face significant oxidative stress due to heat, which can impair performance. Vitamin E and selenium (Se) are key nutrients supporting antioxidant defenses and are commonly supplemented in feed. This study evaluated the effects of two selenium sources-sodium selenite (SS) and hydroxy‑selenomethionine (OH-SeMet)-combined with standard or reduced vitamin E levels on broiler performance. A total of 800 male broilers were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design. Results demonstrated that OH-SeMet improved growth and feed efficiency compared to SS, regardless of vitamin E level, while reduced vitamin E impaired early growth but not overall performance. The combination of OH-SeMet with standard vitamin E provided the best feed conversion ratio at 44 days. These findings highlight the benefits of using OH-SeMet with adequate vitamin E supplementation to enhance broiler resilience to heat stress, offering a practical strategy for improving production efficiency in tropical commercial operations.