In summer, maintaining optimal conditions for laying hens is crucial to ensure their health and productivity. The ideal temperature range for hens is between 13°C and 23°C. However, during hot weather, high temperatures and humidity create a challenging environment. When the temperature exceeds 30°C, hens experience heat stress, which leads to symptoms such as increased panting, higher water consumption, reduced feed intake, lower egg production, lighter eggs, thinner shells, and higher breakage rates. Their immunity weakens, leading to higher mortality. Therefore, effective management strategies are essential to keep hens healthy and productive during the summer.
To improve the environment in and around the chicken house, it's important to enhance cooling and prevent heatstroke. This can be done by improving roof and wall insulation to reduce solar heat gain, installing shade nets or awnings outside windows, regularly cleaning manure to minimize heat from waste, and ensuring good ventilation—either through natural means or by using vertical ventilation systems. Increasing the size of skylights can also help improve airflow.
To further manage heat stress, increasing air movement inside the house is key. A wind speed of 1–1.5 m/s can significantly reduce heat stress. Spraying water in the house can also help lower temperatures through evaporation, but this should only be done when there is sufficient airflow. In cases where ventilation is limited, wet curtains can be installed to provide a more effective cooling solution. Providing cool drinking water, such as groundwater, can also help hens stay comfortable. Water pipes can be cooled for about two hours before use to lower the temperature.
Painting the roof white or applying whitewash helps reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption. Planting trees or vines around the chicken house provides natural shade, while grass on the ground helps reduce radiant heat. These environmental improvements contribute to a cooler and healthier living space for the hens.
Adjusting feeding practices can also help hens cope with heat. Feeding them more frequently, especially during cooler parts of the day, encourages better feed intake. Reducing flock density minimizes overcrowding and lowers overall house temperature. During summer, the nutrient content of feed should be adjusted—increasing fat and oil levels while improving protein quality with amino acids like methionine and lysine ensures the hens get enough energy without excessive heat production.
In terms of medication, adding vitamin C (VC) to feed or water at a rate of 10 kg/g can help reduce heat stress. In severe cases, doubling the dose may be necessary. Sodium bicarbonate can be used to correct acid-base imbalances, while potassium chloride helps maintain electrolyte balance. Probiotics or antibiotics may also be added to support gut health, especially since increased water intake can dilute digestive fluids and weaken digestion.
Summer is a time when flocks are more susceptible to diseases such as fowl cholera, E. coli, necrotic enteritis, coccidiosis, and Newcastle disease. Regular health monitoring and proper biosecurity measures are vital to prevent outbreaks.
When managing heat stress, some important tips include: using high doses of VC, avoiding combining sodium bicarbonate with VC, using baking soda later in the season to counteract respiratory acidosis, and never spraying water in the house during peak heat. Spraying the roof outside the house can help lower indoor temperatures. Long-term use of baking soda should be avoided due to potential side effects on gut flora. Herbal preparations like ice mint can also be beneficial. In cases of heatstroke, VC should be combined with antibiotics like neomycin or colistin to treat any secondary infections.
By implementing these strategies, farmers can help their hens survive the summer comfortably and maintain high productivity.
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