When the thermometer climbs past 80oF, poultry production feels the heat! Panting birds signal that they've already started to feel stress from extreme temperatures which may lead to heat stroke. But you can help them stay cool and comfortable so their growth rate stays optimum, eggshells are strong, and hatched eggs are healthy - all it takes is a few simple steps for maximum chicken comfort!

Scorching temperatures and sweltering humidity can wreak havoc on commercial broilers, disrupting their comfort and stunting their growth rate while simultaneously reducing production efficiency. In poultry production/ meat production, this phenomenon is known as heat stress: a scourge that threatens both market weight achievement rates and mortality levels in already fragile flocks.

Managing heat stress is paramount – it not only ensures healthier birds but also improved production performance! Older and heavier birds are especially sensitive to hot weather, making suitable environmental conditions more important than ever. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take: Housing management for comfort; structured Water management. Feed fortification against dehydration; along with General maintenance tips to help your flock beat the summertime blues.

Optimizing Conditions in a Poultry House Space

There are things you can do in hot climates to keep the heat from affecting your layers:

To maximize comfort in poultry housing, orient the building on an East-West axis and provide adequate roof overhang.

a. Consider coating the roof with a reflective material such as whitewash - this could reduce temperatures by up to two degrees Celsius in a hot environment!

b. Let cool airflow into the poultry shed and hot air exit through ridge vents strategically placed at roof level. Maximize ventilation for a comfortable environment to give your birds their best home!

c. Ensure your layer house is warm and cozy for its inhabitants by covering the roof with natural insulators like paddy straw, sugar cane leaves, coconut leaves, or hay.

With the summer months bringing in blazing winds, gunny bags can be an effective solution to protect birds from these harsh currents.

d. Keeping any curtains that face oncoming wind wet will further create a cooling effect of up to 2-3C - providing your feathered friends with some much-needed relief!

e. To keep the poultry shed at a comfortable temperature, attach foggers near bird level for a light mist. This will not only help maintain an optimal environment but also ensures your birds, litter, and feed stay dry!

f. Create a comfortable environment for your birds by attaching foggers inside the poultry shed. Ensure that mist levels remain at an optimal level, supporting both temperature regulation and dryness to keep your feathered friends contented!

g. Planting towering trees around the farm can help to dissipate heat, creating a more comfortable and inviting environment.

Managing water flow in poultry farm

On hot days, chickens need extra care and it is necessary to provide them with three to four times the normal daily amount of drinking water and avoid letting it heat by partially filling the overhead tank or using wet gunny bags as insulation.

Painting it a reflective color may also help slow the temperature rise. By taking these steps, you can keep your flock cool and hydrated throughout summer!

Ensure your birds stay properly hydrated by increasing the frequency of their water supply - refreshing them with cool, vitamin-enhanced drinks! To make sure they have an electrolyte balance and a healthy dose of Vitamin C, add 0.2 percent salt and 1 to 2 gm/liter of commercially available electrolytes into each drink as well as citric acid for extra vitamins during summer months. This combination will help keep your feathered friends in top physical condition.

Optimizing feed through heat-regulating supplements during Summer

To ensure layer hens' egg production remains constant during hotter months, their diet should be supplemented with high-energy and lower-protein options. Consider replacing 10-15 percent of carbohydrates and proteins in their feed with 1-2 percent vegetable oil/fats to increase fat calorie intake while maintaining a balanced level of lysine, methionine, and other amino acids.

 To produce a nutritious and tasty feed for layers, substitute 20-25 percent of de-oiled rice bran with freshly oiled rice bran. Supplement the layer diets to provide essential amino acids, such as methionine hydroxyl analog and betaine by intake levels.

 Increase calcium content from 4% to 5%, while replacing 40-50 % of any salt present with sodium bicarbonate to maintain eggshell quality. Lastly, increase Vitamin A & E plus mineral premixes by 25%. This combination is sure to enhance nutrient density helping your flock reach its optimum growth potential!

 To minimize heat stress in poultry, the feed can be supplemented with synbiotics, probiotics, acidifiers, and dextrose. It is recommended to divide feeding into two times a day - early morning (4-5 am) for ⅓ of the total food amount and noon-1 pm when the reminder should be served. Providing dim lighting at mealtime helps reduce physical activity which gives additional relief from higher temperatures outside.

 To avoid caking due to birds' saliva during hot months as well as mold growth leading to later sluggish production results - it is advised to add mycotoxin binder material into the bird's food supply periodically.

Conclusion