How To Do Poultry Farming in Summer? The article written by Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Marketing Director, Growel Agrovet Private Limited, has been published in Poultry Square magazine, May – 2021 edition.

1. Due to the common occurrence of
environmental stressors worldwide,
many studies have investigated the
detrimental effects of heat stress on
poultry production. It has been seen that
heat stress negatively affects the welfare
and productivity of broilers and laying
hens. Understanding and controlling
heat stress in poultry is crucial to
successful poultry production and
profitability. Heat stress is one of the
most critical environmental stressors
challenging poultry production
worldwide. The detrimental effects of
heat stress on broilers and laying hens
range from reduced growth, decreased
egg production, egg quality, and safety.
Moreover, the negative impact of heat
stress on poultry welfare has recently
attracted increasing public awareness
andconcern.
The environment in which poultry is
maintained is the most critical factor for
a f f e c t i n g p r o d u c t i v i t y. T h e
thermoregulatory mechanism in birds
is effective only upon the ambient
temperature within certain limits (180-
280 c); beyond this, a bird cannot adjust
well. The lethal upper temperature in
birds is about 470c . Birds do not
change their behavior or signs of
discomfort and use the minimum
amount of metabolic energy to
maintain a homoeothermic range of
body temperature. Within the
thermoneutral zone, body temperature
is supported by the thermal equation
(heat production=heat loss).
What Happens in Heat Stress in
Birds?
Birds become heat stressed when they
have difficulty achieving a balance
between body heat loss and body heat
production, the average body
temperature of poultry is 410 c. When
the environmental temperature
exceeds 350c , a bird is likely to
experience heat stress. In effect, to
maintain body temperature, birds first
rely on losing heat from blood vessels
near the surface of the skin by a process
called non-evaporative cooling.
However, this mechanism is only
e f f e c t i v e w h e n t h e a m b i e n t
temperature is lower than the bird's
body temperature. As ambient
temperature increases beyond the
bird's thermoneutral zone, non-
evaporative cooling becomes
i n e f f e c t i v e . A t t h e s e h i g h e r
temperatures, the bird relies on
Rakesh Kumar
www.growelagrovet.com
rakesh@growelagrovet.com
Growel Agrovet Private Limited
Poultry Farming in Summer is an important topic to understand because heat stress causes adverse effects
on the performance of poultry production. The summer season causes several harmful effects on broilers
and layers, which ultimately reduces profitability. Summer stress is a severe concern for poultry producers
as it directly leads to financial losses by impaired poultry performance.
How To Do Poultry Farming in Summer ?
Article
Volume 03 | Issue 05 | May 2021 | Poultry Square | 18

2. panting/evaporative cooling to control
body temperature. Panting is an
effective but energy-expensive way for
the bird to regulate body temperature.
It typically results in lower feed intake
and growth and reduced feed
efficiency.
It will also increase water intake to offset
water loss. Still, the situation is
complicated because the body's ability
to retain water is reduced as the
evaporative cooling process escalates.
During high ambient temperatures, the
birds increase panting up to 10 times
f r o m a n a v e r a g e r a t e o f 2 5
breathes/min to 250 breathes/min,
which leads to an excessive loss of
carbon dioxide resulting in raised blood
plasma bicarbonate levels and
increased blood ph. The bird attempts
to correct blood ph. by excreting
bicarbonates via urine. Bicarbonates are
negatively charged ions coupled with
positively charged ions such as
potassium to be passed in the urine.
However, as potassium is essential in
maintaining intracellular water balance,
a loss of potassium ions via urine
reduces the ability to maintain this
water balance. Consequently, while
birds compensate for water losses
associated with panting by consuming
more water, their retention in the body
cells is limited by simultaneous loss of
electrolytes such as potassium in the
urine.
Effect of Heat Stress in Poultry
Health :
The most important effect of heat stress
is to decrease body resistance and more
susceptibility to E.Coli and CRD. In the
condition of CRD & E-Coli, Ciprocolen
should be given; it is a very effective
herbal medicine for CRD & E-Coli.
Also, outbreaks of gout may be seen in
broilers and layers. In heat-stressed
birds, blood flow increases to the upper
respiratory tract, skin, and abdominal
muscles for relieving heat. However,
blood flow to the intestinal tract is
decreased; thus, there is a reduction in
appetite leading to lower feed intake.
Concurrently water intake is increased,
resulting in fluid contents in the
intestinal tract. This further causes
diarrhea that results in loss of
electrolytes needed to maintain acid-
base balance. In this condition, Electral
Energy is very much effective.
Clinical Sign and Symptom of Heat
Stress in Birds :
The following clinical signs will be
observed in heat-stressed birds :
Ÿ Panting/rapid respiration
Ÿ More intake of water
Ÿ Reduced appetite.
Ÿ Reduction of egg production
Ÿ Poor eggshell quality
Ÿ Less body weight gain in broilers
Ÿ Reduced feed efficiency
Ÿ Increase in body temperature
Ÿ Death
Post Mortem Lesions in Heat
Stressed Bird :
Ÿ Dehydrated carcass
Ÿ Mucoid exudates in the mouth and
nostrils
Ÿ Pale/cyanotic combs
Ÿ Pale breast muscles
Ÿ Congestion of liver, spleen, kidney,
and lungs.
Ÿ Fluid contents in intestines.
Ÿ Rapid decomposition of the carcass
Now let us discuss the actions which
the poultry farmers should take to
combat heat stress in poultry :
The aim of adopting measures to
combat heat stress is to keep birds alive
and get production out of them to
achieve targeted figures, i.e., the egg
from layers and better body weight at
particular age with specific FCR in
broilers.
The following steps will help to combat
heat stress in poultry farming in
summer :
Ÿ Housing Management
Ÿ Water Management
Ÿ Feed Management
Ÿ General Management
Housing Management in Poultry
Farming in Summer :
Ÿ Orient the long axis of poultry
houses in an east-west direction to
minimize solar heating and direct
sunlight access.
Ÿ Poultry houses in the tropics should
have good roof insulation (if
possible with false roofs to reduce
the conduction of heat) with the
support of fogger and cooler
systems.
Ÿ In open-sided houses, the width of a
house will be a limiting factor, so
keep the optimum width (24-32 ft)
based on temperature, humidity and
wind velocity, type of house, and
birds nature for adequate cross
ventilation.
Ÿ Increased air movement over the
birds by coolers/fans/exhaust to
produce a wind chill effect. It will
also keep the birds cool, even
without a drop in the house
temperature.
Ÿ Shed design and construction
should not allow direct sunlight on
birds.
Ÿ Thatching of the roof with paddy
straw or sugar cane leaves will
reduce the temperature inside the
shed.
Ÿ The roof should be painted with a
whitewash to reflect light.
Ÿ Shades from tall trees and
plantations around the sheds can
reduce the radiant heat. The
plantation of trees should be such
that trees will be leafy during
summer and bald during winter.
Ÿ Roof overhangs should be sufficient
(3-5 ft) to protect the birds from
strong sunrays.
Water Management in Poultry
Farming in Summer :
Practically water is the essential
Volume 03 | Issue 05 | May 2021 | Poultry Square | 20

3. criterion of these four managemental
factors during summer. In summer,
water consumption is 3-4 times more.
Even a slight shortfall of water can lead
to heatstroke and mortality. Usually
feed, and water consumption ratio is
1:2, but when the temperature shoots
beyond 950F, this ratio may increase to
1:4 or more. Following points to be
taken into consideration for the poultry
water in summer :
Ÿ Supply of plenty of clean and cool
water (60-700F) must be ensured
during the summer months.
Ÿ Always use Aquacure in water to
control infections through the water.
Ÿ For day-old chicks, provide cool
water and electrolytes on their
arrival to the farm before offering
feed to avoid dehydration after
transportation.
Ÿ Cover water tanks with wet gunny
bags to avoid direct exposure to the
sun.
Ÿ Increase the number of drinkers by
25%.
Ÿ Increase frequency of watering.
Ÿ In the case of nipple drinkers,
insulate nipple pipe with wet gunny
cloth.
Ÿ Provide Electral Energy(1-2 gm/liter)
in water during hot hours.
Ÿ Adjust the amounts of medications
and volumes of water used for water
vaccination to reflect the flock's
increased water consumption
during hot weather.
Ÿ Do not withhold drinking water from
the flock when the vaccine is
provided through drinking water.
Feed Management in Poultr y
Farming in Summer :
Ÿ During summer, the consumption of
f e e d b y b i r d s i s r e d u c e d
considerably, leading to reduced
body weight, egg production, and
shell quality, so a proper feeding
strategy is required.
Ÿ Do not offer feed during the daytime
in broilers; you should feed either
morning or evening.
Ÿ S p e c i f i c c h a n g e s i n f e e d
formulations are necessary. Increase
the nutrient density of feed to
compensate for depressed feed
intake.
Ÿ The energy of feed should be
reduced. Crude protein content
should not be increased because the
heat generated by one gram of fat is
16.5% or one gram of fat is 22.5%.
Ÿ Similarly, 20-30% extra vitamins and
trace minerals should be added to
feed.
Ÿ The available phosphorus content of
the feed should be increased.
Ÿ Vitamin C is necessary to maintain
the integrity of blood vessels;
supplementation of vitamin C @
200-500 gm /ton feed will be
beneficial.
Ÿ Grow E-Sel@ 200 gm /ton feed will
also be beneficial.
Ÿ Pelleted feeding is beneficial where
low-energy fiber diets are used.
Ÿ Since a hot, humid climate favors the
growth of molds/fungi in feed, so
constant use of anti-fungal is
recommended.
Ÿ The diet should be balanced with
limiting amino acids, methionine,
and lysine, which will give better
results.
Ÿ Increase the calcium level from 3-
3.5% in layer diet.
General Management in Poultry
Farming in Summer :
Ÿ Preferably fresh litter of 2 inches
thickness with racking or stirring of
litter 2-3 times a day during cool
hours is recommended.
Ÿ 10% extra floor space should be
provided in summer.
Ÿ Overcrowding of birds should be
avoided.
Ÿ Farmers should do the shifting,
transportation, de-beaking, and
vaccination during the night or cool
hours of the day.
Ÿ Birds severely heat stressed may be
dipped in cold water for 2-3 minutes
keeping their neck and head above
water level.
Ÿ Provide proper cross ventilation.
Fans (pedestal, ceiling, or exhaust)
may be fitted in sheds.
Ÿ Use foggers in the shed, which could
reduce the shed temperature up to
5-100c depending upon quality.
Ÿ The use of paint, white lime, etc.
practically reduces the shed
temperature up to 20c
Ÿ Use a side curtain in the shed, which
should be sprinkled with water.
Ÿ Provide three exhaust fans on one
side and pad cooling on another
side, which will completely seal the
shed sides and brings down the
temperature below 80 c
Ÿ Use sprinklers on the top or inside
the shed.
Ÿ Surround the house with tall trees &
thatched roof is suitable for hot
areas.
Ÿ The house should be situated away
from other buildings to facilitate free
movement of air.
Ÿ The high altitude of the roof is
ordinarily 2.6 to 3.3 m from the
foundation to the roofline to provide
maximum ventilation.
Ÿ Provide a 1-meter overhang to cut
the direct sun and rain into the
house
With some attention to proper
management to combat heat stress, the
poultry flock will remain healthy and
productive throughout the summer.
These simple methods will help you to
m a i n t a i n t h e b i rd 's h e a l t h &
productivity in hot weather. These
guidelines will directly or indirectly
make unexpected results in total
poultry production.
I wish you all the best while doing
poultry farming in the summer!
Volume 03 | Issue 05 | May 2021 | Poultry Square | 22