Be prepared to prevent heat stress in layers:
1. Poultry farmers face challenging task to prevent heat stress during summer.
2. Best-case scenario: We prevent hens from overheating.
3. Worst case: Layers are heat stressed, leading to significant welfare and performance problems.
4. Panting during heat stress leads to poor shell quality — thin, weak shells — because it disturbs the metabolic acid-base balance.
5. Ultimately, it causes less calcium to be transferred to the shell gland.
6. Body fluids become alkaline as kidneys excrete electrolytes.
Feed and water management during summer.
7. Supply of plenty of clean and cool water (60-70oF) must be ensured during summer months.
8. Please administer electrolytes at 1 to 2 gms for litre water regularly during hot hours.
9. In feed 10 to 20 % extra vitamins and trace minerals should be added.
10. Vitamin C is necessary to maintain integrity of blood vessels. Supplementation of vitamin C @ 200-300 gm /ton feed will be beneficial.
11. Please add Sodium bicarbonate 1 to 1.5 kg for ton of feed.
12. Heat stress in birds have induced lesions of lymphoid tissues, indicating immune system impairment.
13. Please use Immunomodulator in water to birds twice daily.
14. Immunomodulatory preparations are made generally with a combination of systemic enzymes which has wide ranging functions to combat viral infections and heat stress.
15. Immunomodulatory preparation reduces stress during summer by stimulating immuno modulation process and reduces mortality.
By-Dr V. Rajendra Prasad,Poultry consultant, Hyderabad.
