Farmplug

How to identify heat stressed birds

This time of the year is extremely hot and many farmers will end up losing their birds especially broilers ranging from 4 weeks above. This is a danger period for farmers as heat stressed broilers might end up dieing.

Some signs to look out for are: Decrease in feed consumption ,Reduced movement and activity Decrease in egg production in layers, Panting & Rapid Breathing with open mouth, Wings stretched from their body with erect feathers, Lying down with their neck stretched out on the floor, Pale Comb & Wattles ,Watery f***s, Increase in water consumption.

You can apply the following measures to keep them comfortable in this heat period:

** Always fill their drinkers with water (especially in the afternoon)

** Use wire mesh in constructing their coup and if they are coverings around their pens, keep them open to aid ventilation.

** During extremely hot days, add ice cubes to their water source.

**Ensure that their litters are dry as wet litters increase their room temperature with heat. It's advisable you clear their floor as often as possible during this heat period and always provide them with fresh chippings.

**Vitamin C is a good stress reliever....ensure to add vitamins in their water source daily.

Good luck

Picture credit: obukhowo farms

5 common reasons why your chickens are not laying eggs properly:

1. Reduced daylight has an effect on egg-laying effeciency: Perhaps you have no idea, but the more light there is, the larger the egg. The amount of day light chickens recieve, will determine their laying quantity. They require approximately 12 hours of daylight to maintain their egg-laying ability. It's crucial that you give artificial light on the farm in addition to the natural light.

2. Egg production may decline as a result of old age: Age might be the reason of the drop in your chicken's laying capacity. Some breed of layers stop producing eggs at 1 year while some can lay strongly for up to 2 to 3 years. So while going for a poultry project, consider the breed. I recommend leghorns or hybrid breeds.

3. Stress: Yes! Stress. Stress in birds can be as a result of:
Change of feed
Predator attacks.
Change of routine
Moving to a new coop.
Overly amorous roosters.
New additions to the flock
Too hot and too cold weather.

4. An sickness in your chicken can lead it to cease producing eggs. Perhaps your egg-laying friends are not feeling well. If the chickens are unwell, egg production really decreases. So from time to time, invite a vet to vaccinate them.

5. Molting issue: Have the hens been laying for 10 months or more?. Your hens are probably approaching their end of the laying cycle... If that is the case, they will stop laying, go through a molt ( loss of feathers), have some rest, and start laying again.The period of molting varies depending on the chicken breed. If this is the case, feed them with diet rich in protein. And give them their essential vitamins and minerals.

Peep our hybrid old layers.....I took this picture in the morning.