Information included in this material were solicited from experienced and progressive livestock and poultry raisers, Magsasaka Siyentistas (MS), researchers, and technical experts from within and outside PCARRD. Additional information were taken from publications and online sources. This publication aims to ease the trouble experienced by animal raisers during extended dry spell.

1. PCARRD Information Bulletin Series No.331/2010
Appropriate Farm
Practices for Livestock
and Poultry During
Extended Dry Spell
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Foresty and Natural
Resources Research and Development (PCARRD)
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

2. About PCARRD
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research
and Development (PCARRD) is a sectoral council under the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST).
Established in 1972, PCARRD formulates policies, plans, and programs for science
and technology-based development in the agriculture, forestry, and natural
resources (AFNR) sectors. It coordinates, evaluates, and monitors the national
research and development (R&D) efforts in AFNR. It also allocates government
and external funds for R&D and generates resources to support its programs.
The first DOST council to be stamped with an ISO 9001:2000 (now 9001:2008)
certification for its quality management system in 2004 and conferred the
Philippine Quality Award Level 1 (Commitment to Quality Management) in 2009,
PCARRD is engaged in active partnerships with international, regional, and national
organizations and funding institutions for joint R&D, human resource development
and training, technical assistance, and exchange of scientists, information, and
technologies.
The Council supports and manages the National Agriculture and Resources
Research and Development Network (NARRDN), composed of national multi- and
single-commodity and regional R&D centers, cooperating stations, and specialized
agencies. As such, PCARRD has been a potent arm in catalyzing the Philippine
AFNR sectors toward self-sufficiency and global competitiveness.
MAILING ADDRESS PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURE,
FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Paseo de Valmayor, Timugan
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines 4030
TELEPHONES Los Baños - (63) (049) 536-0014
to 536-0015/536-0017 to 536-0019; 536-5907;
536-2330;536-2305; 536-2383; 536-1956;
536-6980
FAX Los Baños - (63) (049) 536-0016/536-7922
DOST, Bicutan, Taguig City - (63) (02) 837-1651
E-MAIL pcarrd@pcarrd.dost.gov.ph
WEBSITE http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph

3. OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear reader:
Information included in this material were solicited from experienced and
progressive livestock and poultry raisers, Magsasaka Siyentistas (MS),
researchers, and technical experts from within and outside PCARRD.
Additional information were taken from publications and online sources.
This publication aims to ease the trouble experienced by animal raisers
during extended dry spell.
Sincerely yours,
PATRICIO S. FAYLON
Executive Director
ISO 9001:2008

5. PCARRD Information Bulletin Series No. 331/2010
Appropriate Farm Practices
for Livestock and Poultry
During Extended Dry Spell
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Foresty and Natural
Resources Research and Development (PCARRD)
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Los Baños, Laguna
2010

6. ii
First Edition 2010
ISSN 00116-7736
Bibiliographic Citation:
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and
Development. Appropriate farm practices in livestock and poultry during
extended dry spell. Los Baños, Laguna: PCARRD-DOST. 14p. -(PCARRD
Information Bulletin Series No. 331/2010)

7. iii
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................. 1
Practical Tips to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Heat Stress........................2
White Chickens..............................................................................................2
Native and Other Colored Range Chickens....................................................5
Swine..............................................................................................................6
Cattle, Buffalo, Goat, and Sheep....................................................................7
Practical Technologies to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Heat Stress......... 10
Production Team........................................................................................ 14

8. Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell 1
Introduction
A hot environment can cause discomfort and stress in farm animals, which
commonly result in reduced productivity or mortality due to the following
physiological and behavioral problems:
Animals lose appetite when they feel hot. Therefore, feed intake is•
significantly reduced to a level below their daily requirement.
Panting, a natural reaction of animals to maintain their normal body•
temperature, uses up energy. Hence on a hot day, part of the energy
that would otherwise be used for productive or reproductive purposes,
are expended and wasted on this physiological response to heat.
Stress in general can lower the animals’ resistance or immune•
competence, thus making them more susceptible to diseases.
Dehydration as a result of inadequate drinking water and excessive•
evaporation of body fluids can lead to electrolyte imbalance and
abnormal physiological processes.
In severe cases, a highly elevated body temperature can lead to heat•
stroke and death.
An animal that is under stress will perform poorly — which is translated to less
gain in weight, lower milk production, lower egg production, or higher incidences
of reproductive failures as the case may be. There is not much a farmer can do
about long periods of dry spell except to relieve the animals’ discomfort from the
extremely hot weather.

9. 2 Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell
Practical Tips to Mitigate
the Negative Effects of Heat Stress
The following are practical tips that animal raisers can do to reduce the negative
effects of heat stress:
Recommendation/Intervention Science Behind the Practice
White Chickens
Provide cool drinking water at•
all times; provide additional
drinkers, if needed.
- prevents dehydration
- helps regulate body
temperature
Allow maximum air circulation•
or ventilation inside the house
and pens. Fully open sheds with
drop-down curtains may prove
beneficial.
- allows outward movement
of warm air and inward
movement of cooler air
Insulate galvanized iron (GI)•
roofing with commercially
available insulators or
appropriate local materials (e.g.,
rice straw, cogon blades, coconut
fronds, etc.).
- provides insulation to minimize
radiation of heat from GI roof
into the house

10. Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell 3
Recommendation/Intervention Science Behind the Practice
Paint outer side of GI roofing•
with white or light colored paint.
- white or light colors reflect light
and heat more efficiently
Reduce stocking density (by a•
third for broilers and as much as
half for breeders).
- gives animals more space and
reduce heat generated within
the pens
- allows quicker dissipation of
body heat
- compared to layers, reducing
stocking density is more critical
in broilers because of the
latter’s bigger body mass, and
because they are very young,
broilers’ thermoregulatory
mechanism is presumably less
developed

11. 4 Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell
Recommendation/Intervention Science Behind the Practice
Cull unproductive or undesirable•
birds.
- decongests the housing to
allow more space allowance
and reduce heat production
Avoid stocking when El Niño or•
extended dry spell is expected.
- prevents losses due to poor
production performance and
stock morbidity and mortality
Give more feeds during the•
cooler part of the day (early
morning, late afternoon or at
night).
- birds in general eat more when
they are more comfortable
Provide vitamins and•
electrolytes.
- boosts resistance and immune-
response
- vitamin C plays a significant role
in calcium utilization which is
important for layers
- electrolytes help birds maintain
normal body fluid levels
Note:
It is best to add the vitamins and
electrolytes to the water in the
early morning so that animals
get the needed boost before
the temperature gets warmer;
besides, some of the vitamins and
substances in the electrolyte mix
degrade with heat or exposure to
bright light.
Remove accumulated manure•
under the chicken house.
- minimizes heat generated from
the decomposing manure
- minimizes exposure of birds to
toxic fermentation gases that
would aggravate the already
stressful condition

12. Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell 5
Recommendation/Intervention Science Behind the Practice
Native and Other Colored Range Chickens
Provide cool drinking water at all•
times; provide additional drinkers
if needed.
- prevents dehydration
- helps maintain normal body
temperature
Allow birds to range.• - birds can pick feeds from the
range and seek shelter in the
shade or bushes
Provide grain supplements.• - builds up body energy reserves
which are needed in combating
stress
Vaccinate birds against prevalent•
diseases.
- protects the birds from viral
disease challenge (e.g.,
Newcastle Disease (NCD)

13. 6 Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell
Recommendation/Intervention Science Behind the Practice
Swine
Most recommendations for white/commercial chicken are applicable for swine.
Reduce stocking density by•
20–30%.
- gives pigs more space to move
around and minimize heat load
inside the house
Minimize bathing the animals•
other than the regular practice of
cleaning if ventilation is not good.
- frequent bathing or wetting
will result in higher relative
humidity (RH) inside the house,
causing more discomfort to the
pigs if ventilation is inadequate
- high RH together with high
temperature also encourages
multiplication of pathogenic
organisms

14. Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell 7
Recommendation/Intervention Science Behind the Practice
Cattle, Buffalo, Goat, and Sheep
Provide cool drinking water at all•
times; provide additional drinkers
if needed.
- prevents dehydration
- helps regulate body
temperature
Provide salt licks in tubes or•
blocks.
- encourages animals to drink
- the salt can help maintain the
animals’ electrolyte balance
Allow buffaloes to cool in rivers•
or mud wallows.
- dissipates body heat and gives
cooling effect
- black or dark colors absorb
more light and heat; this is also
true for dark-colored cattle
and other animals (animals on
free range at least would seek
shelter under the shade of
trees)
Bring tethered animals in the•
shade when the heat in the open
starts to get intense
- reduces unnecessary stress due
to exposure to direct sunlight

15. 8 Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell
Recommendation/Intervention Science Behind the Practice
For cattle and buffaloes used•
as draft animals, schedule work
(land preparation, cultivation,
hauling, etc.) early in the morning
or late afternoon.
- prevents heat stress and
optimizes animal’s productivity
when temperature is lower
- work increases production of
metabolic heat that would be
difficult to dissipate if ambient
temperature is already high
Inject with vitamins ADE* once•
during the hot season (especially
recommended for breeder and
lactating animals).
- builds up/boosts resistance
- enhances appetite and
increases feed intake, thus
helps address inadequacy of
nutrients and vitamins
Provide formulated concentrate•
feed mix of about 250–500 g
per head per day for goat and
sheep; double the amount for
cattle and buffaloes (especially
recommended for breeder and
lactating animals).
- ensures intake of essential
nutrients and maintains
normal body condition,
thus maintaining acceptable
productivity levels
- aids in conversion of nutrients
from fibrous feeds into energy
for various metabolic processes
Provide vitamin B complex•
(especially recommended for
breeder and lactating animals).
- enhances absorption and
utilization of energy, protein,
and minerals
If available, provide urea-•
molasses-mineral block, or make
one if ingredients are available.
- enhances microbial activity of
the rumen and makes nutrients
in fibrous feeds available to the
animals

16. Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell 9
Recommendation/Intervention Science Behind the Practice
Feed ruminants with crop•
residues and food processing by-
products such as:
copra cake, sapal ng niyog,-
banana and pineapple
peelings, etc. (high energy
content)
sapal ng taho (high protein-
content)
- utilizes crop residues/by-
products that would otherwise
go to waste
- improves palatability of crop
residues and feed intake
- increases digestible energy
content
banana trunks (high moisture-
content)
tree leaves and prunings,-
e.g., acacia, gmelina,
camachile, mango, caimito,
jackfruit, durian, etc.
flag leaves and other parts-
above the corn ears after
detasseling
residues from newly-
harvested crops
rejects from convenience or-
snack food processors
- enhances digestibility of other
nutrients
When available, sprinkle crop•
residues with molasses.
- makes up for poor nutrient
quality of available forage
Provide concentrate•
supplementation like corn, rice
bran, corn grits, formulated
feeds, etc.
- enhances digestibility of poor-
quality forage
Shear or trim the wool of sheep.• - enhances dissipation of body
heat and lightens the animals’
load
Remove piles of manure inside•
or under the pen especially if
ruminants are held in complete
confinement.
- minimizes heat generated from
the decomposing manure
- minimizes production of toxic
fermentation gasses

17. 10 Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell
Practical Technologies to Mitigate
the Negative Effects of Heat Stress
While commercial farms may be more prone to the adverse effects of El Niño
or extend dry spell due to their high stocking density, technology has been
developed to provide optimum comfort to the animals. In large farms, houses are
designed to allow reasonable control of the indoor micro-climate with most of
the following features: good ventilation from adequate floor height (in the case
of chicken houses and goat pens); high, often insulated roofs; provision of tunnel
ventilation, industrial fans, and even air conditioning for highly prized breeder
animals; mist sprayers or sprinkler systems, running water, pools or wallows; and
standby generator in case of power failure. Moreover, commercial farm operators
are also generally better able to provide for additional inputs such as electrolytes
and supplemental vitamins to boost the animals’ tolerance to heat stress.
Nevertheless,withorwithoutElNiño,theadoptionofseveralpracticaltechnologies
enumerated below will be beneficial to an animal raiser in good stead. The value
of such practices will even be more appreciated in the face of El Niño:
Recommendation/Intervention Science Behind the Practice
Design the animal pen(s)1.
following the required floor and
roof heights.
ensures good ventilation•

18. Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell 11
Table I. Housing requirements for livestock and poultry.
A. Small Ruminants Completely Confined Partially
Confined
Floor elevation from the ground at least 1 m at least 1 m
Roof height from the floor 2 m 2 m
Space requirement per animal
Breeder buck 2–3 m2
1.5 m2
Expectant and nursing does with
unweaned kids
2–3 m2
1 m2
Breeder females 1.2 m2
0.8 m2
Growers 1–1.5 m2
0.5 m2
B. Poutry Meat Type Egg Type
Floor elevation from the ground at least 1.8 m at least 1.8 m
Roof height from the floor 2.4 m 2.4–3.0 m
Space requirement per 100 birds
Growing stage 11.3 m2
7.5 m2
(under
slated floor)
11.5 m2
(under
litter floor)
Laying stage 3 layer per cage
(cage dimension
is 0.38 m x
0.53 m)
C. Swine
Roof height 6.8 m from the ground (monitor type of
roofing
Recommended floor space per animal Breeder boars with mating area: 6.5 m2
Breeder gilt/sows: 2.0–2.7 m2
Growing to finishing: 0.6–1.2 m2

19. 12 Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell
Recommendation/Intervention Science Behind the Practice
Provide adequate floor area2.
according to recommended
stocking density.
overcrowding of animals is•
avoided
If running water is available,3.
install underground water lines.
pipes are not exposed to heat,•
thus water is kept cool
If raising ruminants, establishing4.
a legume-grass forage garden or
feed bank is a must.
Plant species with high•
crude protein (CP) content,
e.g., rensonii, flemingia,
trichantera, mulberry, etc.
Include drought tolerant•
grass species such as mara-
mais and other hardy local
plants that animals prefer
to eat.
assures sustainable supply of•
quality forage throughout the
year including the lean months

20. Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell 13
Recommendation/Intervention Science Behind the Practice
Process surplus forage into silage5.
or hay. Rice straw keeps well if
piled in a mandala; peanut hay,
corn stover and husks should be
stored in a shed.
provides sustained supply of•
quality feeds through the dry
summer months when forage
is scarce
Plant shady trees near the6.
animal pens and in and around
the pasture areas.
helps keep temperature down•
during hot weather by keeping
bare ground shaded thus
minimizing radiation of heat,
making confined animals more
comfortable
provides a welcome shade for•
animals on pasture
Plant multipurpose or7.
leguminous tree species (MPTSs)
such as Sesbania (‘katuray’),
pigeon pea (‘kadios’), ‘ipil-ipil’,
‘madre de cacao’, etc.
supplements available forage•
most MPTSs survive the dry•
summer months when some
of the annual legume or grass
forages have died down
provides additional shade•
For more information please visit/call
the
LIVESTOCK RESEARCH DIVISION (LRD)
PCARRD-DOST
Paseo de Valmayor, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
Tel. Nos.: 63) (049) 536-0014 to 536-0015; 536-0017 to 536-0019; 536-5907; 536-2330;
536-2305; 536-2383; 536-1956; 536-6980 Local 230, 236 and 268
Fax Nos. (63) (049) 536-0016/536-7922
e-mail us at pcarrd@pcarrd.dost.gov.ph
or visit us at http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph

21. 14 Appropriate Farm Practices in Livestock and Poultry during Extended Dry Spell
PRODUCTION TEAM
Writer
INES VIVIAN D. DOMINGO
Science Research Specialist
Livestock Research Division (LRD)
Editors
ANNA MARIE P. ALO
Senior Science Research Specialist, LRD
JOEL ENERISTO A. JOVEN
Senior Science Research Specialist
Applied Communication Division (ACD)
PAUL JERSEY G. LERON
Science Research Specialist, ACD
Advisers
Dr. EDWIN C. VILLAR
Chief Science Research Specialist, LRD
Dr. SYNAN S. BAGUIO
Supervising Science Research Specialist, LRD
Layout
ERIC E. PEREZ
Science Research Specialist, LRD

22. ISO 9001:2008
ISSN 00116-7736