Commercial Poultry’s Care & Management Practices During Rainy Season in India
The Indian poultry sector is one of the most vibrant, fastest growing, agro-based, techno-commercial industry. There are several constraints affecting growth of the poultry industry, among which temperature associated environmental challenges (hot and cold climate, heavy rainfall) imposes severe stress on birds and leads to reduced performance. Thermal discomfort may result in improper expression of genetic potential in birds (Kataria et al., 2008) and production performance of broiler chicken are greatly affected due to adverse environmental conditions. At present, climatic variation is a key threat for poultry industry, especially for marginal poultry farmers in openhouse systems (Osti et al., 2017). In India during rainy season there is increase in the relative humidity and a reduction in temperature; rainfall affects both the quality and quantity of feeding, while wind speed has an impact on the outbreak of diseases. With the arrival of monsoon, farmer needs to give a little bit more attention towards his crops along with the livestock and poultry. Monsoon comes as a challenging season for poultry farmers which could be very tormenting. Asrainy and cold season brings changes in temperature and weather conditions, it leaves a deep impact on the poultry farm. Hence, as a poultry farmer, it is very important to learn how to operate poultry farm during rainy season. Poultry birds and poultry production are generally affected by seasonal climatic or weather changes. For instance, in the wet or cold season bird eat more feed, drink less water and huddle together to generate heat and keep them warm. On the other hand, chickens and other livestock birds consume less feed and drink more water in the hot season or weather in order to cool their body. These changes affect the production of birds, especially laying birds, as the egg production is reduced in extremely cold or hot weather. This reduction in egg production occurs because when there are extreme cold or hot conditions, these birds are stressed, and their ability to withstand diseases or immune system is seriously affected.
India receives 75 – 80% of its annual rainfall via southwestern monsoons, lasting from June through September. Monsoon season typically begins in the state of Kerala and slowly progress across India, reaching the far north by mid to end of June. High heat, high humidity, extensive clouding, and several spells of moderate to heavy rain with strong surface winds are the chief characteristics of monsoon season. There is a significant fall in temperature at the commencement of the rainy season (3–6°C); however, a subsequent rise in temperature whenever there is break in the monsoons and rain does not occur for several days. This rise in temperature is associated with high humidity, which causes significant risk of severe heat stress, especially at the start of the season and between monsoon breaks.
Monsoon conditions favor replication, growth, and spread of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, as well as vectors like flies, mosquitoes, and other vermin.
The rainy season is usually synonymous with an increase in relative humidity and a reduction in temperature; rainfall affects both the quality and quantity of feeding, while wind speed has an impact on the outbreak of diseases.
With the arrival of monsoon, farmer needs to give a little bit more care and attention towards his crops along with the livestock. As we know, poultry farming is continuously growing as the most profitable agribusiness across the globe including India. However, monsoon comes as a challenging season for poultry farmers which could be very tormenting. As rainy and cold season brings changes in temperature and weather conditions, it leaves a deep impact to the poultry farm. You need to know that weather conditions play a vital role in poultry farming as well. Hence, as a poultry farmer, it is very important to learn how to operate poultry farm during rainy seasons.
Poultry birds and poultry production are generally affected by seasonal climatic or weather changes. For instance, in the wet or cold season, chickens eat more feed, drink less water and huddle together to generate heat and keep them warm. On the other hand, chickens and other livestock birds consume less feed and drink more water in the hot season or weather in order to cool their body. These changes affect the production of birds, most especially laying birds, as the egg production is reduced in extremely cold or hot weather. This reduction in egg production occurs because when there are extreme cold or hot conditions, these birds are stressed, and their ability to withstand diseases or immune system is seriously affected.
It is always better to repair the house before the arrival of the rainy season and to clear the drainage ditch around the chicken house. When it rains, close the doors and windows or let the curtains open to prevent rain from entering the house and prevent the chickens from getting cold or other problems
One should reserve enough dry padding. The thick padding should be turned over and keep the padding dry. The wet agglomerated padding should be cleaned out of the house and reduce the ammonia concentration in the house.
Prevent the feed ingredients from getting wet, and the amount of feed should not be too much. The compound feed in the house should be placed on the platform above the ground to prevent the feed from regaining moisture and mildew in your battery cage for sale.
Under the influence of the rainy season of battery cage for layers, the humidity in the chicken house is increased, the litter is moist, the feed is mildewed, some production units cannot obtain clean drinking water, etc., which may lead to coccidiosis, E. coli outbreak, and elevated ammonia concentration. The risk of mycotoxin poisoning and respiratory disease infection increases.
Birds usually increase their level of feed intake to generate heat and stay warm during rainy season/winter. However, for a farmer, increasing the level of feed provision raises the cost of production besides wastage of nutrients that are not needed for heat generation. To reduce costs and avoid wastage, energy rich sources like oil/fat should be added to the diet or level of other nutrients may be reduced keeping the energy at same level.
In free-range system, provide supplementary feeding to the birds to meet their nutrient deficit. Consider providing your birds with warm water periodically during this rainy season to encourage consumption and help them keep warm without using up energy reserved in the process.
With the rain, birds may encounter standing water (mostly in free-range) and end-up drinking from the ground leading to parasitic infestation from intestinal worms.
De-wormers administered after every three months help in management of worms but you should remember the product withdrawal period as specified by the manufacturer.
Poultry house should be designed in such a way that it provides all the comfort required by birds during cold season while considering ventilation as well. In regions where it rains heavily, the floor should be raised with a generous roof overhang, particularly over the entrance.
The raised floor can be a solid platform of earth to prevent floods. Orientation of a building with respect to wind and sun consequently influence temperature and light on different external surfaces. With better management, your flock will remain healthy and productive throughout the cold season.
Wet litter condition may arise due to overcrowding, diarrhoea and excessive salt in the diet besides seepage from the roof. Wet litter condition should be prevented as it may lead to burnt hock condition, E.coli infection, coccidiosis etc. Hence proper housing space or stocking density along with proper ventilation should be ensured. Excessive caking of the litter should be prevented as it may lead to abrasions in the extremities and hock joint. Wet litter can be prevented by frequent stirring of the litter. Hydrated time at 7 to11 kg or super phosphate 7 kg per 100 sq.ft. floor space may be added into litter by stirring. Very little ammonia will be released when litter is kept below a pH of 7.0, but is rapid at a pH of 8.0 or above. Phosphoric acid (1.9l/10.5ft²) and super phosphate (1.09kg/10.5ft²) are effective in controlling ammonia fumes of the litter.
Managemental Practices During Rainy Season
- It is always better to repair the poultry sheds before the arrival of the rainy season and clear the drainage ditch around the shed.
• When it rains, close the doors and windows or let the curtains close to prevent rain from entering the shed thereby helps to prevent the chickens from getting cold or other problems. • Poultry farmer should reserve enough dry litter material. Regular raking of the litter material helps to keep it dry. The wet agglomerated litter material should be removed out of the shed to reduce the ammonia concentration in the house.
• Preventthe feed ingredients from getting wet, and the amount of feed should not be too much. The compound feed in the house should be placed on the platform above the ground to prevent the feed from regaining moisture and mildew.
• In rainy season, the humidity in the poultry shed is increased and also there are more chances that litter get wet, feed is mildewed, and sometimes water get contaminated with pathogens which may lead to coccidiosis, E. coli outbreak, and elevated ammonia concentration.
• Birds usually increase their level of feed intake to generate heat and stay warm during rainy season. However, for a farmer increasing the level of feed raises the cost of production besides wastage of nutrients that are not needed for heat generation. To reduce costs and avoid wastage, energy rich sources like oil should be added to the feed or level of other nutrients may be reduced keeping the energy at same level.
• Provide warm water periodically during rainy season to encourage feed consumption and help them keep warm without using up energy.
• Poultry shed should be designed in such a way that it provides all the comfort required by birds during rainy season while considering ventilation as well.
• In regions where it rains heavily, the floor should be raised with a generous roof overhang, particularly over the entrance.
• The raised floor can be a solid platform to prevent floods. Orientation of a building with respect to wind and sun consequently influence temperature and light on different external surfaces. With better management, your flock will remain healthy and productive throughout the rainy season.
• During rainy season birds need to be warm, especially chicks that haven’t been able to control their body temperature.
• In rainy season, the water can cause trouble in bird’s health as the water from the rain might bring many worms and parasites. So, during rainy season it is important to give dewormers to avoid infection from intestinal worms.
• Rainy season leads to the immunosuppression, and birds can get easily infected by bacteria and viruses.
• Mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects that multiply well during this season, thus can increase the possibility of transmitting viruses to chicken.
• Instead of waiting your birds to get sick and treat them, you can avoid the disease outbreak by vaccinating before monsoon.
Tips for Key Management Practices for the Rainy Season:
- Check for and repair any leaks in the roof or walls.
• Prepare side curtains to keep rain from entering the shed. Take special precautions to protect the feeder from rainfall due to high wind gusts.
• Ensure drainage systems are working properly before the rainy season to allow for proper run off rainwater. Water stagnation near sheds creates a breeding ground for vectors.
• Brooding chicks in winter is always a challenge. Rainwater splashing inside and high humidity with poor ventilation can increase the ammonia level inside the shed. Moreover, as coal used for brooding is detrimental to young chicks, keep the side curtains closed tightly to avoid rainwater entering the shed. Allow a 1 – 2 foot opening at the top of side curtains during the day to ventilate ammonia and other undesirable gases out.
- Wet litter is the main challenge during rainy season. The main causes for wet manure are the birds (infectious/ nutritional), as well as direct water entering onto manure either by leaky nipples or rainwater splash. Once the litter moisture exceeds 250g/kg, its cushioning, insulating, and water holding capacity is compromised and manure becomes wet. Replace any leaking nipples to avoid wet manure. Rainwater entering the manure pit should be strictly controlled or entirely prevented. High moisture levels in the manure allow for germination of spores, multiplication of vectors (flies, insects), and promote other pathogen growth. Contaminated rainwater may contaminate bore wells and nearby water bodies.
• Due to the change from hot and humid weather at the beginning of winter, birds can feel heat stress; doublecheck the water flow at the nipple and ensure a minimum 60 ml/minute for birds under heat stress.
• Larva control is the key to fly control during the rainy season . Wet manure is the perfect environment for larva multiplication. Larvicides can be used to great effect in conjunction with preventive measures to keep manure dry.
• Wet manure with larva in absence of a bottom mesh will attract wild birds. Utilizing a bottom mesh wall preventsentry of wild birds, which will have close contact with the flock. Preventing wild bird contact prevents potential disease outbreaks such as bird flu.
• Feed ingredients should be kept in waterproof conditions. Increases in moisture level increase the risk of some mycotoxin contaminations in feed. Waterproof conditions of the feed mill, feed bin, and feeders inside the shed should be ensured. Feed and feed ingredients should be stored on slats to avoid direct contact with surfaces.
• High relative humidity, direct exposure of the feeder to rainwater, and caking of feed in the feeder can lead to the formation of some mycotoxins, which negatively impacts the flock. Remove old and caked feed from the feeder regularly. Regular complete cleaning of the feeder is recommended. Avoid leaving excess feed in the feeder.
• Inclusion of toxin binders in the feed is highly recommended, especially during this season, as the environmental conditions will favor mycotoxin contamination.
• Water quality can be easily affected during rainy season especially surface water. Chances of E. coli outbreaks are higher during high temperature and humidity, as bacteria and other germs can multiply quickly, leading to increased infections in chickens. Contaminated water sources can also cause outbreaks, so it is essential to maintain regular water sanitation. Clean pipelines thoroughly, as this will help in reducing the biofilm levels inside the line, which are a source of contamination.
• High relative humidity and temperatures, especially between June and August, can cause high mortality due to heat stress. This condition is primarily associated with the lack of adequate air speed. Use enough fans to ensure the shed is well ventilated, a speed of 3.5m/s is recommended for sufficient cooling. Fogger usage should be minimal during this period.
• Rodent activities increase during monsoon season as
• Due to the change from hot and humid weather at the beginning of winter, birds can feel heat stress; doublecheck the water flow at the nipple and ensure a minimum 60 ml/minute for birds under heat stress.
• Larva control is the key to fly control during the rainy season . Wet manure is the perfect environment for larva multiplication. Larvicides can be used to great effect in conjunction with preventive measures to keep manure dry.
• Wet manure with larva in absence of a bottom mesh will attract wild birds. Utilizing a bottom mesh wall preventsa result of local crop growth. Increased rodent activity leads to increased transmission of disease. Strict rodent control measures should be implemented during this period and vegetation close to the poultry house and farm should be cleared regularly.
• With the rainy season comes a reduction in daylength. Flocks in the growing stage and starting production face the challenge of poor stimulation resulting in delayed onset of production. Light stimulate the flock on time; delaying the stimulation will delay the flock coming into production.
• Dirty bulbs should be cleaned as they reduce the brightness. Follow the Hy-Line recommended lighting program to prevent issues concerning delayed onset of production.
• During rainy season, due to high relative humidity, birds experiencing heat stress will decrease their intake. Careful monitoring of feed and nutrient intake is especially important during heat stress conditions and especially surrounding peak production. Remember to reformulate all nutrients according to the decreased feed intake, including the vitamins and trace minerals premix.
• Rains can affect brooding conditions, and lack of ventilation increases ammonia levels inside the shed. Monitor the shed temperature and humidity often and adjust temperatures based on chick comfort to ensure quality care for young chicks. Side curtain height can be adjusted to control ammonia buildup inside the shed.
• Pullets grown in summer and early rainy season will have low body weights and poor uniformity if they are not provided balanced feed and adequate spacing. Poorly conditioned flocks with low body weights and uniformity are likely to face delayed onset of production. Moreover, feed intake may not be adequate to support the rising nutrient needs during the production jump. It is very important provide a pre-peak diet during this period to ensure adequate nutrient intake and support production. The key to minimizing the negative effects of the rainy season is to anticipate and implement appropriate management and nutritional measures prior to the start of the rains.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
