Heat stress occurs when temperature of bird body increases too high and affects bird’s growth, production and overall health. Heat stress affects birds in the following ways:
- Reduces the bird’s growth and slow down immune response.
- Lowers the body weight and poor feed conversion ratio.
- Increased mortality and issues related to gastrointestinal health.
- Egg production will be reduced.
- Panting
- Wet droppings
- Sudden mortality
NUTRITIONAL & SUPPLEMENT STRATEGIES:
1. Electrolyte supplementation: Helps to retain water at cellular level and balances osmotic pressure preventing fluid loss from tissues due to heat stress.
2. Vitamin support: It acts as potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals which are produced during stress.
3. Add feed additives: Feed additives alleviate the negative effects of heat stress by supporting physiological functions, improving gut health and enhance immune response.
4. Prebiotic/probiotic support: Stabilize microbial balance, preventing dysbiosis due to stress. Improve nutrient absorption.
TIMING & MANAGEMENT TIPS:
- Shift feeding to early morning or late evening.
- Reduce handling and vaccination during peakhours.
- Monitor bird behaviour and water/feed.consumption twice daily.
- Avoid feed with oxidized fats or spoilage.
PRACTICAL ON-FARM SOLUTIONS:
1. Ventilation and air flow: It removes hot air, from the farm and replaces it with cooler. This will help to lower the temperature. Good airflow will also help to evaporate moisture.
2. Water management: Birds lose a significant amount of water through panting and this will lead to dehydration. Availability to fresh and cool water will maintain hydration and body temperature.
3. Reduce stock density: High stock density will trap heat and heat accumulation will occur. This will result into heat stress. By reducing stock density, it will help with heat stress.
4. Shade and cooling: Providing shade and cooling system is very effective to reduce heat stress. By blocking direct sunlight, it will reduce radiant heat exposure.
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