Blistering heat wave conditions with temperature soaring above 40 degree Celsius have cast its shadow on the poultry industry with high mortality rate and decline in production of chicken and eggs in Karimnagar district.
Karimnagar's Egg Output Under Pressure
Karimnagar district tops in egg production with around 30 lakh eggs per day.
But, due to the prevailing heat wave conditions, the egg production has come down by 10 to 20 per cent with high mortality rate of birds — and it may further increase in the coming months with further rise in temperature.
Heat wave above 40°C strains poultry in Karimnagar
Water Scarcity Compounds the Crisis
Following drought-like conditions, poultry farmers were unable to keep the birds cool by using sprinklers, drips and foggers as there was acute shortage of water due to depleting groundwater table. Compared to normal season, the poultry industry requires more water during the summer months.
Farmer Voices
Ramana Reddy, a poultry farmer of Nusthullapur village in Thimmapur mandal, said that he was struggling hard to keep the birds alive by sprinkling water frequently. Though the government provides subsidised power to poultry units, they couldn't draw water as the ground water level has depleted, he complained.
He said that mortality rate of birds increased from 5–10 per cent as the intake of food has come down due to the sweltering heat.
"We could protect the birds from the bird flu, but we are unable to save them from the prevailing heat wave."
— Ramana Reddy, Poultry Farmer, Nusthullapur
…he said, and added that they were incurring losses due to fall in production.
Official Position
Joint Director (Animal Husbandry) S Ramchander said that there was acute shortage of water for the cattle and the poultry units due to drought.
Poultry farmers were struggling to keep the birds alive due to water scarcity and incurring losses due to high mortality rate and fall in egg production.
He said the mortality rate of birds would increase in the coming days.