Management of cold stress in poultry

Management of cold stress in poultry

Lokesh Gautam ^*1 and Hina Ashraf Waiz ²

¹Assistant Professor, Animal Genetics and Breeding , College of veterinary & Animal Science, Udaipur, Rajasthan University of Veterinary & Animal Science, Bikaner, 334001, India

²Assistant Professor ,Livestock Production Management, College of veterinary & Animal Science, Udaipur, Rajasthan University of Veterinary & Animal Science, Bikaner, 334001, India

^*Corresponding Author: lkgautam10@gmail.com,          M.O. +91 9828961747

Abstract

Due to a decrease in ambient temperature, the winter season has a significant impact on poultry production. When the temperature drops below 55ºF during the winter, a number of issues arise, including poor feed conversion ratio in broilers, lower weight gain, decreased egg production, decreased water intake, impaired fertility and hatchability, etc. Due to poor energy supply, the infrastructure of poultry sheds, particularly in rural India, is subpar. For this reason, poultry farmers are particularly concerned about how to manage their flocks during the winter. Low ambient temperatures, inadequate ventilation, and shortened photoperiod may provide difficulties for poultry farmers. These seasonal variations may have a direct or indirect impact on the production of eggs and meat. In order to overcome economic losses, farmers must be prepared to face these problems by implementing certain winter stress-relieving techniques.

Keywords: Poultry, stress management, farmers

Introduction

One of the primary causes of respiratory issues in chickens is exposure to cold stress. Due to discomfort in the internal body systems, chickens under cold stress circumstances frequently demonstrate lower performance and compromised health (Zhou et al.2018). Neonatal broiler chickens are particularly vulnerable to low temperatures due to the immaturity of their thermogenic organs since the ability of broiler chickens to control body temperature develops with age. Birds adjust their exogenous and endogenous heat regulates by creating heat from their metabolisms, which then transmits energy to their skin surface, when the outside temperature steadily drops (Zhao et al. 2013). In chickens, the brain’s hypothalamus regulates this system.If the temperature continues to drop, birds will produce more heat inside and send more blood to their extremities to keep warm (He et al. 2019).

Poultry producers may encounter difficulties due to low ambient temperatures, inadequate ventilation, and shortened photoperiod as a result of mercury level drops and weather changes. These seasonal variations may have a direct or indirect impact on the production of eggs and meat. In order to overcome economic losses, farmers must be prepared to face these problems by implementing certain winter stress-relieving techniques.

Winter management

• The bird’s physical state and physiological activities are affected by the temperature of its habitat.
• The effects of a temperature drop on moist conditions have an impact on birds. In order to stay warm in this situation, the chicks snuggle under the electric light. Extreme huddling causes a significant amount of deaths. Electric brooding makes artificial warming during the day and at night necessary.
• The farm house shouldn’t be exposed to chilly breezes.
• Gunny sacks should be hung correctly to block the entry of chilly winds.
• Preventive screening of adult birds must only be done on the side where there is a high likelihood of fast-moving wind entering. This fundamental element is crucial to maintaining the farm’s ammonia levels at acceptable levels.
• Rain must never leak or splash around inside the farm home.

Water hygiene

• Provide clean, lukewarm water
• The drinking water is typically contaminated during the rainy season. It is necessary to take all possible precautions to store drinking water appropriately.
• It is advised to use readily available bleaching powder with a contact time of 30 minutes and a concentration of 4 to 7 g per 1000 liters of drinking water.
• Water should not stagnate at any point outside the farm house.

Managing litter

• The amount of moisture in the litter shouldn’t ever be higher than 20%.
• The excess moisture in the litter cannot be drained due to the greater relative humidity during the winter, which causes caking of the litter.
• Litter raking must be done every day.
• Water spills should not occur in the waterer.
• This prevents the litter from stinking bad and irritating people with ammonia.

Caged birds

• It’s important to prevent droppings from accumulating under cages because doing so increases the domestic fly annoyance.
• Spray appropriate disinfectant on the litter.
• A faster ventilation rate helps lower the moisture content.

Feed

• During the winter, feed moisture content shouldn’t be higher than 12%.
• An increase in moisture content encourages the development of fungus, which produces mycotoxin.
• Consequently, it’s essential to maintain high-quality feed.

Preventing the spread of disease

• Because of the chilly weather, birds are more vulnerable to stress throughout the winter.
• In the winter, illnesses including coccidiosis, respiratory conditions, and mycotoxicosis are extremely prevalent.
• If the moisture content in the litter is 20% or more, coccidian oocytes will sporulate and become infectious.
• It is recommended to use preventive coccidial medicine in feed and water
• The ammonia problem must be prevented
• As a defence against respiratory illness, antibacterial or antibiotic treatment is required.
• Winter management strategies that preserve birds and maintain production levels are planned.

Conclusion

In the production of broilers, cold stress results in significant economic loss. Under cold conditions, intestinal bacterial infection is frequent. Farmers should use the proper winter management techniques to safeguard the birds and maintain a constant level of production.

References

He, L. Ma, J. Qiu, X. Lu, C. Hou, B. Liu, D. Yu(2019).Effects of compound organic acid calcium on growth performance, hepatic antioxidation and intestinal barrier of male broilers under heat stress.Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 33 (2019), pp. 1156-1166.

Zhao F.Q., Zhang Z.W., Wang C., Zhang B., Yao H.D., Li S., Xu S.W.(2013). The role of heat shock proteins in inflammatory injury induced by cold stress in chicken hearts, Cell Stress & Chaperones, 18 , pp. 773-783

Zhao M.J., Sun X., Du M. (2018).AMPK in regulation of apical junctions and barrier function of intestinal epithelium Tissue Barriers, 6 (2018), pp. 1-13.

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