High ambient temperature could result in numerous physiological and metabolic changes in broilers, that adversely impact broiler performance and immune response. In addition to environmental control techniques that have been frequently used to reduce the negative impact of heat stress on birds' performance, other measures have been studied. Lately, proper nutritional management has shown to be effect as a preventive measure against heat stress because the function of the thermoregulating system of broilers (heat production, evaporative and nonevaporative routes for heat dissipation) can be influenced by diet. This applies particularly to the establishment of proper electrolyte balances due to their physiological importance in the heat stress mechanism. Thus, nutritional mechanisms should be reassessed as a tool to control this metabolic dysfunction in birds.

The control of excreta/litter moisture and quality is a priority in the modern poultry industry, to avoid environmental and animal welfare problems and to reduce productivity losses. Control implies the reduction of their amounts and moisture content. Several factors can affect them, some related to management and housing, others related to diseases and finally, dietary factors. The paper reviews some nutritional aspects that could interfere with the moisture and quality of poultry excreta/litter, focusing on dietary factors affecting water consumption, water excretion and the amount and composition of excreta: dietary protein level, electrolyte balance, ionophores, cereals causing viscosity problems or containing high levels of non-digestible fibre fractions, unusual ingredients or by-products and finally some feed technological treatments.