Take extra care of poultry in summer, says expert
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.
Dr APS Sethi, Senior Nutritionist (Poultry) of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), said poultry do not have sweat glands and have a thick cover of feathers. During summers the birds consume less feed and more water due to which their growth rate, egg production, egg shell quality and hatchability all get adversely affected and the mortality rate becomes high. Incidence of diseases in the flocks also increases because of wet litter, immune suppression, vaccination failures and contamination of drinking water.
Dr Sethi recommends that the poultry farm managers should ensure that there is grass cover on the grounds surrounding the poultry house. This would reduce the reflection of sunlight into the house. Vegetation should be kept trimmed to avoid blocking of air movement and to help reduce rodent problems.
“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. As the birds excrete electrolytes during periods of heat stress, additional electrolytes can be added to the drinking water to compensate the loss to stimulate water consumption. The number of waterers and frequency of watering should be increased during summer months. In case of nipple drinkers, frequent check of nipples should be monitored,” Dr Sethi added.
Dr Sethi said preventive treatment through drinking water should be given. In moderate hot weather, ascorbic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, sodium bicarbonate and potassium chloride can be added in drinking water to maintain electrolyte balance. Egg collection frequency at the farm should be increased and cold room should be available for egg storage in hot summer months, he added.
Source :- www.tribuneindia.com
For the hot summer months there are many precautions which need to be taken right from the onset of summer.
Dr APS Sethi, Senior Nutritionist (Poultry) of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), said poultry do not have sweat glands and have a thick cover of feathers. During summers the birds consume less feed and more water due to which their growth rate, egg production, egg shell quality and hatchability all get adversely affected and the mortality rate becomes high. Incidence of diseases in the flocks also increases because of wet litter, immune suppression, vaccination failures and contamination of drinking water.
Dr Sethi recommends that the poultry farm managers should ensure that there is grass cover on the grounds surrounding the poultry house. This would reduce the reflection of sunlight into the house. Vegetation should be kept trimmed to avoid blocking of air movement and to help reduce rodent problems.
“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. As the birds excrete electrolytes during periods of heat stress, additional electrolytes can be added to the drinking water to compensate the loss to stimulate water consumption. The number of waterers and frequency of watering should be increased during summer months. In case of nipple drinkers, frequent check of nipples should be monitored,” Dr Sethi added.
Dr Sethi said preventive treatment through drinking water should be given. In moderate hot weather, ascorbic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, sodium bicarbonate and potassium chloride can be added in drinking water to maintain electrolyte balance. Egg collection frequency at the farm should be increased and cold room should be available for egg storage in hot summer months, he added.
Source :- www.tribuneindia.com
