summer and winter management of poultry

1. STRESS MANAGEMENT

2. The term “Stress” is used to describe the detrimental effects
of variety of factors on the health and performance of poultry.
Birds have limited body resources for growth, reproduction,
response to environmental changes and defense mechanism
.
Stress

3. 1.Environmental
(Poor Ventilation,
ammonia gas, Pollutants,
wet liter, high light intensity)
3. Physical
(Catching, Handling
Transport, Injections,
Ion mobilization etc.
5. Physiological
(Rapid growth, high egg
prod., Process of sexual
Maturing, Molting etc.)
6. Social
(Over crowding
various age/size,
Grouping)
7.Psychological
(Fear, harsh care
takers, abrupt changes
etc.)
2. Climatic
( Extreme heat / cold,
humidity )
4. Nutritional
(Nutrient Shortages,
Feed intake Problems,
Adulterated feed,
Toxic)
STRESS

4. Heat stress Vs Cold stress
• Tropical countries – Heat stress
• Temperate countries – Cold stress
• Which one is more dangerous?
“Cold stress is more dangerous than Heat
stress”

5. Cold stress
• Bird takes more feed.
• More metabolic heat to maintain body
temperature.
• As a result more amount of subcutaneous fat
deposition (More than 60% of fat).
• Over body weight and less production.
• Results in long term problem and huge
economic loss.

6. Chick Vs Adult birds
• Chick requires 40o
C during Ist
and IInd
week of
age.
(Hypothalamus is poorly developed in chicks)
• But optimum temperature for adult birds is
19 to 24o
C.
(Normal body temperature is 41 to 42o
C)

7. Birds are Homeothermic
Body Temp. : 41 to 42°C
Regulated by Hypothalamus– act as a thermostat
Thermoregulation
in Birds

8. Can withstand only narrow temperature
range
High body temperature when compared to
other
species
Absence of sweat gland
Feather cover
Subcutaneous fat
Features of Thermoregulation in Birds

9. Heat Stress
 Physiological condition in which body isnot ableto
maintain balancebetween heat production and body
heat loss.
 High Ambient temperatureand high Humidity isone
themost imp stressor.

10. Birdsaresusceptibleto high Environmental
temperaturedueto
Absenceof sweat glands.
 Feathered body.
Fatty nature.
High body temperature.
Broilersthan layers.
 Malebroilersaremoresusceptible.
 Good layersin cagesthan layersin DLS.
Susceptibility

11. Heat Produced
Bird isproducing heat through Metabolic
processesand Muscular activity.
Thermo neutral Zone: Heat production=Heat
loss
21-240
C

12. Heat produced in the body is lost

13. Heat loss
 Divided into two main categories
 Sensibleheat loss
 Occursthrough conduction,
convection & radiation.
ideal temperature for optimum
poultry production is 65-75o
F.

14. Contd..
 Insensibleheat loss
 Occursthrough panting(evaporativeheat loss)
 Beginswhen temperaturereaches 80o
F
 Bird can increaserespiration rateupto 10 times
normal.
 Bird also reduceheat by raising and spreading
her wings
 Separating herself from other birds.

15. Diagram of thermo neutral zone

16. High Temperature leads to
Panting
Standing quietly
Crouch near wall or wet places
Consuming more water
Spreading of wings
Wetting comb and wattles
Behavioural Changes

17. • Reduced appetite.
• Reduction of egg production
• Poor egg shell quality
• Less body weight gain in broilers
• Reduced feed efficiency
• Death

18. Spreading wings

20. Eggshell is made up of
Calcium carbonate
________________________________
↓ ↓
Calcium
Carbonate
(Feed) (CO2 -Respiratory tract)
(Calcium hunger)
During summer – Panting occurs
More amount of CO2 is excreted out resulting
in respiratory alkalosis (HCO3)
Poor egg shell formation
Physiological Changes

21. Egg breakage
More egg breakage during summer season

22. Housing Management
Site &planning
 Orientation :- Long axisshould beEast-West
 Shade:- Trees
 Air movement :- Perpendicular to Prevailing
Wind direction.
 Spacing :-Recommended design spacing
D= 0.4*H*(L)0.5
H & L areheight and length of obstructing
building.
Or not lessthan 10-12 meters

23. Contd..
 Building width :- 10-12m ispreferable.
 Roof :- Gableor shed roof along with ridgevent to
providean escapefor hot air at roof peak isdesirable.
 Floor :- Concretefloorsaredesirablefor easy
Cleaning & Disinfection.

24. Contd..
 Wall :- Should bewater proof & poor conductor of heat.
 Insulation :- Should beplaced below theroof asit will
prevent influx of heat into thebuilding.
 Painting & Whitewashing :- Outsideof walls& roofs
should bepainted whiteor covered with material which
will reflect heat.
 Ventilation :- For elimination of already heat produced
proper ventilation isnecessary.
Not morethan 13m wide& 4m in height
• Roof overhangs should be sufficient (3-5 ft) to
protect the birds from strong sunrays.

25. • Sprinklers on roof reduce temp of shed by 5-
10oC.
• Make tree plantation, they act as wind breaker
• Maintain grassy lawn around poultry sheds to
reduce reflected radiations.
• Put the gunny bags on sides of the house and
wet them frequently during hot summer. Wind
bolwing over wet gunnies will cool the house

26. • Avoid over crowding by increasing floor
space/bird.
• Arrange free ventilation with open sided walls
and high roof. The minimum height between
the floor and the roof must be 4.0 and 3.5
metres at the ridge and eaves, respectively

27.  NaturalVentilation
 Curtain-sided houses rely extensively on natural air
movement
 Located away from obstructions (Trees, buildings).
Forced Ventilation
All air movement is produced by fans in the building
walls.
Houses that use this type of ventilation are also
referred to as controlled environment systems.
Uniform airflow patterns.
Contd..

28.  Evaporativecooling:-
 Most effectivemethod of cooling in low humidity.
 Air isdrawn through adsorbent, porouscooling pads
or through fan pad system.
 Cooling of warm air isattained by itscontact with
water.
 Air cools& thereisincreasein RH.
 Aspen fiber and corrugated cellulosearetwo
materialswidely used ascooling pads.
EVAPORATIVE COOLING

29. Fan Pad System

30. Fan FoggerSystem
Thefoggersinject finewater particlesinto the
warm insideair.
Asthewater vaporizes, heat isabsorbed from
theair, lowering itseffectivetemperature.
Foggersreduceair temperaturein thehouseon
hot days(90 o
to 95 o
F)

32. Birds Sitting on Cold WaterPipesBirds Sitting on Cold WaterPipes

33. Feed management
• During summer consumption of feed by birds is
reduced considerably leading to reduced body
weight, egg production and shell quality.
• Do not offer feed during day time in broilers..
• Increase nutrient density of feed to compensate
for depressed feed intake.
• Energy of feed should be reduced. Crude protein
content should not be increased.
• Similarly 20-30% extra vitamins and trace
minerals should be added to feed.
• Available phosphorus content of feed should be
increased.

34. Feed management
• Feed should be given during cooler part of the
day.
• Wet mash by mixing water and supply in feeders.
• Nearly 10 to 15% of the calories (energy) in the
feed, of carbohydrate and protein origin, may be
replaced by fat /oil energy, by adding 2 to 3% oil
or fat. But this should not increase the total
calories in the feed and only replace the energy of
carbohydrate origin.
• Fat may be mixed in diet in summer to reduce
heat increment and relive from heat stress.

35. Higher fat content of feed also
contributeto lower heat production
Growth rate& feed utilization of
heat stressed bird getsimproved.
Food intake& growth rategot
improved by increasing ME of diet &
decreasing proteins.

36. Protein &Amino acid
Requirement
Protein hashigh heat increment.
Dietscontaining lower protein levels
& supplemented with limited amino
acids, methionine, lysinegavebetter
results.

37. Vitamin Requirement
 Decreased nutrient intakeat high
temperature decreasesintakeof micro
nutrients.
 Supplementation of thesenutrientsis
helpful for maintenanceof performance
& immunefunction.

38.  Vitamin C
 Under heat stress, birdsarenot ableto synthesize
thesufficient amount of vitamin C.
Vit C @ 1000mg/kg
 Supplementation of ascorbic acid.
 Heat resistance
 Carcassquality.
 Carcassweight.
 CarcassCPcontent.
Act asantioxidant reduceoxidativeinjuries.
 Reducemortality.

39. Vitamin A
 Detrimental effect on egg Production by
heat stresscan bealleviated by dietary
suppl. of Vitamin A
@ (8000 IU/Kg diet)
 For optimal egg production.
 For immunity of heat stressed hen.
 Alleviatetheoxidativeinjuriesinduced by
heat Exposure.

40.  Vitamin E
 Dietary supplementation of Vit E isbeneficial for
egg production in hens.
 @ 250mg/kg – Acutestress
 @65 IU/kg- chronic heat stress.
 Supplementation isassociated with
 Increasein feed intake
Increaseyolk and albumin solids.
Increaseconcentration of VLD Proteins
ImproveImmunesystem.
Act asantioxidant.
Contributeto integrity of epithelial cells.

41.  Mineral Requirement
 Blood acid balanceisdisturbed by
hyperventilation and resultsin respiratory
alkalosis.
 Respiratory Alkalosissuppressgrowth rate
& egg shell quality.
 Suppression of growth can bepartially
alleviated by supplementation of
 1% NH4Cl
 0.15% - 0.6% KCl
 0.2% NaHCO3.

42. • Add soda-bicarbonate @ 0.1% for
improvement of shell quality.
• Increase the calcium level from 3-3.5% in layer
diet.

43.  Supplementation of electrolytesin water
enhance
 Water consumption.
 Increasetoleranceto heat stress.
 Improveproduction performance.

44. Other Nutrients &Feed additives
 Heat stresscan induceunfavorablechangesin
indigenousbacterial microbionta.
 Supplementation of probiotic lacto bacillus
strains may enrich diversity of micro florain
chicken.
 Restoremicrobial balancein jejunum & caeca
of chicken.
 Reduceharmful effectsof heat stress.

45. Water management
• Normal ratio of water to feed intake is 2:1 but
get changed 4:1 when temperature is above
27oC.
• Birds drink 4% more water for every one
degree increase in temp above 27oC.
• Provide plenty of fresh, clean and cool
drinking water during hot weather.
• The water pipes should not be exposed to sun
light.
• Molasses or jaggery may be added to water.

46.  Water
 Water requirement increaseduring hot periods.
 6% water intakeincreaseper degreerisein
temperaturefrom that at 20o
c temperature.
 25% moredrinking spaceshould beprovided.
Water below body temperaturewill certainly aid in
heat dissipation.

47.  water drinkersshould bewide& deep enough so
that birdsfaceisimmersed in it.

48. • For day old chicks provide cool water and electrolytes
on their arrival to farm before offering feed to avoid
dehydration after transportation.
• Cover water tanks with wet gunny bags to avoid direct
exposure to sun.
• Increase number of waterers by 25%.
• Increase frequency of watering.
• In case of nipple drinkers, insulate nipple pipe with wet
gunny cloth.
• Provide electrolyte (1-2 gm/liter) in water during hot
hours.
• Addition of 0.25% of salt to drinking water increases
water consumption.

49.  Beak trimming
 To prevent feather picking & Cannibalism which
ismorein hot climate.
 Littermgt
Ismost important step in broiler management
during summer.
Litter should beat least 5 cm depth , & in good
condition during summer.
Miscellaneous Management

50.  Stocking Density
 Stocking density should bereduced by 10% in
Summer

51.  Heat stressmakesbirdsmoresusceptibleto various
diseaseconditions.
 Coccidiosis
 Mycotoxicosis
Disease Management

52. Most imp causeof Mortality in chicken during Hot
Humid season.
 Rapid screening & detection of mouldsshould be
taken in feed stuffs.
Best control of Mycotoxin formation isto prevent the
development of fungi in feed stuffs.
Mycotoxicosis

53. Control of Mycotoxicosis
Regular inspection of stores
Minimizing storagetime
Emptying & cleaning feed silosat monthly interval.
Detoxification of toxinsby different non nutrient
agentsshould betaken up
Detoxification of Aflatoxin – Activated charcoal.
 Good conditionsduring harvesting, transportation,
and storageof feed stuffsareimportant in preventing
of growth of moulds.

54.  Coccidiosis
 Incidenceof coccidiosisshould bechecked asit will
aggravatetheheat stressed birds
Anticoccidial drug Nicarbazineexert delerious
effect in heat stressed birds.
Administration of abovedrug in lower levels
along with second coccidiostat isrecommended.
 Amprolium can also beused but in high levelsit
may causedeficiency of thiamine.

55.  Drug administration
 During heat stressneed proper Careand
Management.
 Medicinesshould beadministered at theearly
morning when temperatureislow.
 Drugsshould beadministered with cool, fresh &
quality feed.

56.  Disinfection & hygiene
All-in & All-out system of poultry management in
hot climatesismost preferred.
 Appropriatedisinfection programmeisfollowed
between thebatches.
In high temperaturetheremay berapid
evaporation of disinfectant solution resulting in
lesscontact time.

57. Winter Management
• In India there are zones having climate
ranging from 40o
F to 85o
F during winter.
• The optimum temperature in a house is 65-
75o
F, when the temperature drops below 45o
F
steps must be taken to warm the house.

58. ADVERSE EFFECTS
• Chick mortality due to lowered temperature.
• Most of the energy used by the birds maintain
their body heat, thus retarding its growth.
• Combs become cyanotic
• Birds do not reach peak production during the
expected period.
• Sexual maturity is delayed in pullets and these
birds turn out to be poor layers.

59. • Birds consume more feed to maintain body
temperature.
• More moisture is retained in winter due to
less evaporation and creates dampness in the
house.

60. • Houses must be built on an elevated ground
to prevent stagnation of water, which in turn
cause severe disease problems.
• A lower environmental temperature increases
oxygen consumption, blood pressures and
thyroid size.

61. • Cooler temperatures are immunosuppressive
and thus predispose birds to infectious agents
endemic in that environment.
• Respiratory infections like CRD, infectious
bronchitis, avian influenza and coryza etc.
compromise the lung capacity and therefore
reduce the oxygen supply through the lungs.

62. ALLEVIATING MEASURES
• Provide clean litter material and increase the
thickness of litter.
• Provide good ventilation but prevent chill air
from entering in.
• Seal all the cracks and crevices in the house.
• Remove all leaking waterers and repair leaky
roofs.

63. • The overhang must be 4-6 feet in length to
withstand wind and to prevent rain water
from splashing inside.
• The roof height should be lowered
• Asbestos roof may be used as they hold the
warmth within the house.
• Side curtains can be used during severe winds
and draft thus sealing the house from cold
draft.

64. • Ceiling fans may be used to move hot air from
the ceiling towards the birds.
• Place plastic sheets over exhaust fans which
will not be used during cold weather.
• Solar heaters can be used and the energy
stored and this can be used to warm the
house.

65. • The time period for brooding chicks in cold
weather will be extended to even 4 to 6
weeks.
• Oil or fat can be added to feed and energy
levels in the feed can be raised to meet the
higher energy need of the bird.

66. • Extra vitamins and minerals have to be
supplemented.
• Both vitamin C and vitamin E can be given to
increase the immune response.
• The feeders should always be full.
• Provide warm water to the birds.
• Prevent spilling of water on the litter.
• Increase the stocking density by 5%.

67. – In temperate countries, environmentally
controlled poultry houses are in vogue. These
houses are heated by electricity or gas.
– The blower blows in warm air and fans circulate
the warm air, all this is thermostatically
controlled.
– Gas pressures are checked, inlets and outlets open
uniformly to keep the birds comfortable.
– Ventilation is adjusted to remove excess ammonia
and to prevent increased fuel usage.