The soaring temperature and sweltering heat affect not just humans but poultry too. It's high time that poultry breeders need to take extra care of the birds in this hot weather. For the hot summer months there are many precautions which need to be taken right from the onset of summer.
Why Birds Suffer More in Summer
Dr APS Sethi, Senior Nutritionist (Poultry) of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), explained that poultry lack sweat glands and have thick feather coverage. During summers, birds consume less feed and more water, which adversely affects their growth rate, egg production, egg shell quality, hatchability, and increases mortality rates. Disease incidence also rises due to wet litter, immune suppression, vaccination failures, and contaminated drinking water.
Practical summer playbook for poultry breeders — shade, water and supplements
Around the Poultry House
Dr Sethi recommends:
- Grass cover around the poultry house to reduce sunlight reflection
- Keep vegetation trimmed to maintain air movement and reduce rodents
- Position shade trees to avoid restricting air currents
"Shady trees should be located in such a way that these do not restrict air current. Keep a reliable, clean, cool source of water available to help the birds cope with high temperatures."
— Dr. APS Sethi, Senior Nutritionist (Poultry), GADVASU
Water — The Critical Lever
Clean, cool water should be continuously available, with additional electrolytes added to compensate for losses during heat stress. Waterers should be increased in number and frequency during summer.
Preventive Water Treatments
Dr Sethi advocates preventive drinking-water treatments including:
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- Acetylsalicylic acid
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Potassium chloride
…to maintain electrolyte balance. Egg collection frequency should increase with cold storage available.