Every summer, a topic that chicken farmers cannot avoid is how to prevent heatstroke in summer. Every summer, there are always cases of chicken flocks dying from heatstroke due to high temperatures. Large-scale farms have fans and water curtains, making heatstroke prevention and cooling relatively simple. However, for many small-scale farmers or those without water curtains, How can we prevent heatstroke and cool down in summer? Today, we will briefly introduce several methods of heatstroke prevention, hoping to be helpful to everyone.

Increase the ventilation volume

Increasing the ventilation volume can accelerate the air flow inside the chicken coop, taking away the heat emitted by the chicken flock, thereby reducing the perceived temperature of the chicken flock. The decrease in perceived temperature can also significantly reduce the possibility of heatstroke. Just like when we are in the same temperature and environment, the feeling with and without wind is completely different. Therefore, in the absence of a water curtain, we should increase the ventilation volume as much as possible to lower the perceived temperature of the chicken flock. It is recommended to use a cold air blower, and it should be noted that the water supply and the blower need to be set up separately.

2. Shading and cooling

For many free-range chicken flocks, we can set up shade nets in the hot summer or do more greening around the chicken farm, planting some trees to block the direct sunlight and thus achieve the effect of cooling down. When building the roof of the chicken coop, it is best to use white foam boards. This can reduce the radiation of sunlight and the absorption of heat.

3. Spray cooling

Inside the chicken coop, measures such as spray cooling can be adopted. When spraying, it is best to add some disinfectant that can be used to disinfect chickens. This not only reduces the temperature inside the chicken coop but also plays a role in disinfection, reducing the number of pathogenic microorganisms in the coop, purifying the air and reducing dust.

4. Increase the duration of midnight lighting

In summer, with high temperatures, the feed intake of chicken flocks is insufficient, and the quality of eggshells deteriorates. If the temperature is too high in the afternoon, it is easy to cause death in the evening. Increasing the midnight light exposure for 1 to 2 hours can effectively increase the feed intake, improve the quality of eggshells, and reduce death caused by heat stress.

5. Adopt the empty slot technology

When the temperature is at its highest, empty the troughs for 3 to 5 hours before and after noon can be adopted to make the chicken flock feel hungry. This can increase the feed intake during feeding, reduce the death caused by heat stress, and prevent the feed from getting moldy.

6. Change the feeding time

When feeding chicken flocks in the hot summer, it is necessary to avoid the high-temperature period as much as possible. During the high-temperature period, the temperature is already high. Feeding at this time increases the activity level of the chicken flocks. If the chickens fight and scramble, it is very easy for them to suffer from heatstroke. The feeding time can be changed to the morning and evening when the temperature is relatively low.

7. Increase the frequency of water supply

In the hot summer, the temperature in the chicken coop is high and the temperature of the water tank rises quickly. The frequency of water filling can be increased, at least twice, to ensure that the chicken flock can always drink sufficient and cool water. It is also necessary to ensure that each nipple water dispenser can dispense water to prevent heatstroke caused by lack of water. Mild water shortage can lead to a reduction in egg production, while severe water shortage can cause a significant drop in egg production or even death from heatstroke.

8. Add some anti-heat stress drugs

In the hot summer, it is indispensable to use some anti-heat stress drugs. Commonly used ones generally include Ice and Snow World, baking soda, etc.

9. Backup power supply

For large-scale breeding, it is essential to pay attention to power outages and have generators and fan motors ready.