How the rising temperature is adversely affecting poultry production and what you can do about it? | Glamac
It is not exactly a secret anymore- the climate crisis is real, and it is having a real-life effect on commerce and the economy. Poultry is considered one of the largest growing economic sectors in India. Poultry is the fastest growing out of all livestock sectors. It, therefore, goes without saying that poultry is an important sector of India’s agriculture.
The poultry industry not only produces two of the most protein-rich food groups- eggs and meat but also employs over several million people in the trade. Poultry brings a chance for better aggregate household income and employment to the weaker sections of society. Poultry thus extends far beyond nutritional importance for Indians.
However, the poultry production sector in India is facing an invisible threat. The rising greenhouse gasses and the continual rise in pollution are causing annual increments in the temperature. We are just coming to terms with the effects of rising temperatures on India’s poultry production. We are just studying the effects of Seasonal fluctuations and heat stress on poultry and their production capabilities.
In the article below, we are going to talk about the effects Seasonal fluctuations and heat stress can have on poultry.
Indian poultry and its importance:
As we discussed in the section above, the importance of poultry as an agricultural sector cannot be overstated- either from an economic or a nutritional standpoint. India used to be a pulse-heavy consumer, and most of the protein requirements were fulfilled with various pulses and grains. But with the rise in disposable income, people’s lifestyles also went up. The average Indian household could now afford to spend money on animal-based protein, most notably meat, and eggs.
It should come as no surprise that the production of eggs and broiler chicken faces the highest growth rates in India. While the production of agricultural cash crops stays stagnant at 1.5 to 2 percent of growth rate per annum, poultry production rises at a steady rate of 8-10% per annum.
The Indian poultry industry has shifted from rural backyard operations to multinational endeavors. The preferred hybrids of choice for today’s poultry producers are Babcock, Hy-Line,and Shaver. These hybrids are fast growers, have good livability, and have high feed conversion. However, the steadily rising climate and seasonal fluctuations are causing havoc in Indian poultry production.
Rising temperatures and their challenges:
Broiler chickens are prone to heat stress. Though hardy hybrid breeds of chicken like Babcock, Hy-Line, and Shaver can face myriad seasonal fluctuations, they too are prone to some upper limit of stress. Climate change on poultry production is a relatively overlooked topic in the discussion of poultry health and production security. The steadily climbing temperatures are having rather unprecedented effects on the poultry and it needs looking into.
Seasonal fluctuations and poultry production and poultry behavior patterns are very interlinked. The problems associated with climate change and the resultant rise in temperature might very well lead to a reduction in the production of poultry and poultry-based products. It is reported that if an environment’s temperature reaches anywhere near 34 degrees Celsius, heat stress-related mortality reaches an astounding 8.4%. At 31 degrees Celsius, egg production becomes erratic and might even reduce by 6.4 percent.
The internal body temperature of poultry ranges from 106˚F to 108˚F. Since poultry themselves cannot regulate their body temperature through sweating, external factors like evaporation, convention, and conduction can help keep the body temperatures of the poultry regulated. Heat stress might harm poultry even further- some researchers have found that feathered poultry will pant to bring down body temperature. Prolonged panting might induce chronic stress in poultry.
Effects of seasonal fluctuations on poultry:
Clearly, seasonal fluctuations and heat stress have some effect on poultry production. Climate change on poultry production is very apparent, and changes barely take any time to register at all. Here are some of the more obvious effects of seasonal fluctuations and heat stress on poultry production-
| Effect on meat quality | Seasonal fluctuations can affect the organs and the muscle quality of the poultry. It increases the risk of poultry developing weak, pale, degrading meat which is not commercially wanted in poultry production in India. |
| Effect on egg production quality | Research shows that high temperatures might increase respiratory rate. The higher respiratory rate leads to hypotension in poultry which results in poorer egg production quality. In fact, the rise in temperature might even reduce. |
| Effect on poultry reproduction rate | Seasonal fluctuations might have a hand in affecting the semen quality in breeder cocks. The same seasonal fluctuations might be responsible for producing poor-quality eggs by poultry hens. The eggs are more prone to breaking and will be of lower quality as the temperatures brew higher. |
| Effect on poultry growth | Seasonal fluctuations are known to affect poultry health and therefore affect poultry growth. The conversion rate of feed to meat will reduce resulting in poor poultry vs feed management. |
| Effects on physiology | The poultry behavior and immunological changes become too great to ignore after a point. The heat becomes a stress factor that leads to decreased feed, decreased meat quality, and decreased growth in poultry production. |
| Effects on the immunity of poultry | Seasonal fluctuation leads to compromised immunity in poultry. The lack of proper immunity will lead to more poultry-related disease outbreaks and more widespread transmissions of said poultry diseases. |
As it is quite clear now, the effects of heat stress and seasonal fluctuations can be catastrophic to the poultry production sector of India. Poultry is very sensitive to heat and stress. Therefore, even though we can’t change the climate in one go, we can try our best to manage the elements surrounding a poultry farm and its factors of production.
Solutions to the problem:
There are many things you can do to manage heat stress in poultry production. Modern high-yield poultry breeds are prone to heat stress. There are several ways to manage heat stress in poultry. Some of the heat stress management methods are mechanical, whereas some methods are nutritional.
- Using fans and shades to cool down broiler rooms can help reduce heat stress in poultry.
- One could use water to help cool down the surrounding areas of the broiler.
- Better heat-managed designs in broiler tents could help bring down heat stress in poultry.
The above-mentioned methods are all mechanical ways that poultry farmers can adopt to help reduce heat stress in poultry farms. These measures however might not be enough to reduce heat stress in poultry. Farmers will then need to look into nutritional measures to ensure poultry don’t get heat stressed.
The link between heat and intestinal inflammation has been documented and is well known. The heat stress-induced inflammation can also lead to inefficient feed intake and ultimately degradation of poultry quality. This means that feed additives will have to work the dual function of reducing heat stress symptoms in poultry as well as help keep up the intestinal health of poultry.
Supravita is a vitamin and amino acid feed supplement by Glamac. Poultry that are treated with Supravita are less prone to the negative effects of heat stress. Supravita supports the extra amino acid requirement due to low feed intake during heat stress and helps developing poultry’s immunity system. Poultry treated with Supravita also experiences less stress caused by overcrowding or heat. Supravita by Glamac is an example of using nutrition to alleviate heat stress.
Glamac also came out with XAROMA, a liquid cocktail of essential oils that helps with reducing heat stress in poultry. XAROMA is an antiseptic that helps aid in the respiratory health of poultry. The solution is natural and healthy for poultry. There are essential oils like eucalyptus oils that act as a wide-spectrum antiseptic. XAROMA can be used to treat some of the most common symptoms of heat stress- respiratory congestion. XAROMA provides support against respiratory distress and breathing problems. XAROMA can be used as a supplement along with Supravita. The powerful combination of Supravita and XAROMA can help keep up poultry production and help maintain healthy and high-yield livestock.
In conclusion:
Climate change is a reality that is fast catching up to the limitations of poultry production. But with the help of a few well-placed measures you can help mitigate the risks of climate change on poultry production. There are various measures you can take to make sure poultry don’t experience heat stress. Mechanical measures and nutritional measures of heat stress management can go a long way to maintaining the optimal health of poultry production.
Glamac is the name to trust when it comes to feed additives. Feed additives can help prevent heat stress-related poultry losses. Nutritionally bolstering your poultry is the best way to beat the rising global temperatures. Reduction in meat and egg quality, the spread of poultry-related disease, and stress-related poultry production losses are all risks of heat stress. But with proper nutritional management heat stress-related issues in poultry production can be mitigated.