In summer, maintaining optimal egg production requires careful attention to temperature management. The ideal temperature range for maximum egg output is 15°C to 24°C. When temperatures exceed 25°C, egg production starts to decline, and at 30°C or higher, chickens may begin panting and spreading their wings, which significantly reduces egg output or even halts it entirely. Prolonged exposure above 35°C can lead to high mortality rates. To keep the environment cool, shade should be provided in the housing area, and walls can be sprayed with white paint to reflect heat. The goal is to maintain the chicken house temperature below 28°C.
Adequate water supply is also crucial during hot weather. Chickens consume about four times more water in summer than in winter. They prefer clean, cool water—ideally spring water. Cool water helps regulate body temperature by absorbing excess heat, which is essential when ambient temperatures rise. For example, a chicken can drink up to 300 ml of water per day at 32°C, which helps dissipate around 4,500 calories, effectively preventing heat stress and boosting egg production.
Adjusting the diet is another important factor. During hot weather, reducing energy intake while increasing protein levels can help maintain productivity. Replacing some carbohydrates with fats, such as adding 3% soybean meal and 2% fishmeal to feed, improves the energy-to-protein ratio. It’s also important to balance amino acids to support overall health and performance.
Adding heat-stress-reducing supplements to the diet can further support chickens. Vitamin C, electrolytes, zinc chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and even aspirin can be included in feed or drinking water to reduce the effects of heat stress. Lowering salt content slightly can also help. Herbal additives like plaster, scorpion, musk, wormwood, and polygala have been shown to improve heat tolerance and egg quality, offering both disease prevention and stress relief benefits.
Proper stocking management is key. Providing fresh, clean, and cool water throughout the day, reducing stocking density to lower ambient temperatures, and avoiding handling chickens during peak heat hours are all effective strategies. Early morning and late afternoon feeding times can help minimize heat exposure.
Finally, disease prevention is critical in summer, as chickens are more vulnerable. Regular disinfection of the poultry house, keeping the environment clean, and following strict vaccination protocols are necessary. Monitoring antibody levels for diseases like Newcastle disease and promptly addressing any issues is important. Insect control through regular spraying of safe insecticides like pyrethrum helps eliminate pests such as mosquitoes and flies. Adding medications like Tylengren Net or Keqiu Powder to feed can also prevent common poultry diseases.
By implementing these measures, farmers can ensure better egg production, healthier chickens, and reduced losses during the challenging summer months.
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