What are the key points for raising broiler chickens in summer?
Broiler chicken rearing: what is the main work in summer? The suitable temperature for broiler chicken growth is generally 18°C to 21°C. When the temperature exceeds 25°C, the appetite of broiler chickens begins to decline; when the temperature rises to 32°C, broiler chickens are at risk of heatstroke and death. High-temperature weather is a very unfavorable factor for broiler chicken rearing. Therefore, one of the key tasks of broiler chicken farms in summer is to control temperature and increase feed intake.
1. Measures to lower the temperature. Spray water on the roof of the chicken house or cover it with straw curtains, and plant green plants around the pen. Open all doors, windows, and ventilation holes; install ceiling fans in the shed; install cooling pads. Spray the chickens with cold water mist, etc. In terms of feeding management, provide sufficient cool drinking water. Lower body temperature through drinking water, and at the same time evaporate water from the body through breathing and panting to achieve the purpose of heat dissipation. If the stocking density of broiler chickens in summer is too high, it is not conducive to heat dissipation from the chickens' bodies and can easily lead to increased house temperature, so the stocking density must be reduced.
2. Increase feed intake and ensure nutritional supply. Change mash feed to pellets. Broiler chickens like pellet feed and eat it quickly, so feeding broiler chickens with pellet feed in summer can, to a certain extent, make up for the insufficient feed intake caused by their reduced appetite. When feeding broiler chickens in summer, multivitamins should often be supplemented in the feed and drinking water, which can reduce heat stress and increase feed intake. Change the feeding time. The temperature is lower from evening to morning, and broiler chickens have a relatively strong appetite, so the number of feedings during this period can be increased by 1 to 2 times, while the number of daytime feedings should be reduced accordingly. When the chickens are in a high-temperature environment, adding oil to the feed helps increase the energy intake of broiler chickens and reduces the heat increment of the chickens, alleviating heat stress in the chickens, thereby helping them gain weight. The amount of oil added generally accounts for 1% to 3% of the feed amount.