High temperatures in summer can easily lead to heat stress in laying hens, which can cause problems such as reduced feed intake, reduced egg production, smaller egg weight, poor eggshell quality, and increased mortality. At the same time, laying hens will drink too much water to dissipate heat, resulting in thin feces or even feces. In severe cases, they may even suffer from heat stroke, shock, and death.
In order to alleviate the heat stress of laying hens in summer and avoid a decline in production performance and serious economic losses, Weidu Agriculture and Animal Husbandry recommends that all breeding friends do the following:1. Management measures① Reduce stocking densitya. Separate chicks and young chickens into cages as soon as possible to prevent problems such as poor uniformity and low shank length due to excessive density;b. Reduce stocking density by eliminating widowed chickens and non-laying chickens. For specific methods, please refer to Weidu Agriculture and Animal Husbandry’s official account: 100 Questions on Laying Hen Farming Knowledge (2) - "How to Choose Chickens in Laying Hen Farming".②Increase the frequency of flushing water linesa. It can prevent water lines from being blocked, and the water flow rate is low, which affects the amount of water that laying hens drink;b. Flushing water lines during the high temperature period of the day can allow chickens to drink sufficient cool water and relieve the heat stress of laying hens.③Adjust feeding time: morning, evening, and midnight feedingFeed three times a day: morning (4:00-8:00), evening (16:00-20:00) and midnight (0:00 to 1:00). Adjust according to the temperature in various places.④Empty the trough at noon every daya. Avoid feed mildew in hot seasons;b. More balanced nutrition, ensuring the intake of core ingredients such as trace elements;c. It is conducive to improving the appetite of laying hens.⑤Reasonable use of fan wet curtains for coolingThe best way to cool the chicken house in summer is to reduce the heat stress of laying hens in summer through the wind cooling effect of the fan and the wet cooling effect of the water curtain. As shown in the figure below: At the same temperature, the greater the humidity, the higher the perceived temperature of the chicken; at the same temperature and humidity, the perceived temperature of the chicken decreases with the increase of wind speed.
⑥ Precautions for the use of water curtainsa. Sealing of the chicken house: If the small air inlet window is not closed tightly, the chickens are prone to heat death;b. Avoid cold stress: The cool wind blows directly on the chickens, causing cold stress and causing the chickens to catch a cold;c. Water curtain opening time: Generally, it is opened at 9:00 in the morning according to the situation, and it is recommended to close it after 5:00 in the afternoon;d. Water curtain closing time: When the temperature drops below 27℃; the wet curtain should be closed when the relative humidity in the chicken house exceeds 80%.
2. Nutritional measures① Adjust nutrient concentrationa. Reduce feed intake by 5%: increase soybean meal dosage by 2-3%, add 1-1.5% soybean oil, and increase premix by 5%;b. Reduce feed intake by 10%: increase soybean meal by 3-4%, add 1.5-2% soybean oil, and increase premix by 10%;c. Depending on the quality of the eggshell, add an additional 1-1.5% shell powder in the evening.② Egg Meiduo - Nutritional solution for eggshell quality problems in summerEggshell quality problems (many broken eggs, light egg color, etc.) have become the primary pain point for laying hen farmers in summer. The Egg Meiduo product developed by Weidu Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Research and Innovation Center can solve the eggshell quality problem very well. Let you sell eggs easily and make money happily!
③ Liver Taile - Liver protector of high-yield laying hens
The mortality rate of laying hens due to fatty liver syndrome can account for 30%-50%, which is particularly serious in summer. The liver tylosin produced by the Dimension Research and Development Center is very effective in preventing and treating fatty liver in laying hens and is deeply trusted by customers.
3. Other measures to alleviate heat stress① Use greening, sunshade nets, whitewashing of roof walls and other measures to reduce direct radiation;② Feed, clean manure and pick eggs when the temperature is relatively cool;③ In a semi-open chicken house, turn on the exhaust fan to accelerate the discharge of hot air;④ Spray water on the roof and spray inside the house;⑤ Immediately provide first aid if heat stroke is found, soak in cold water + administer 1-2 ml of Huoxiang Zhengqi water to each chicken.
