Broiler chickens are prone to heatstroke, convulsions, and death in summer. What measures can be taken to prevent heatstroke and cool them down?

    In summer, when the temperature exceeds 32°C, combined with poor ventilation and poor sanitary conditions in the chicken house, broiler chickens are prone to heatstroke; when the flock density is too high and the water supply is insufficient, fatter broiler chickens are also prone to heatstroke. The times when broiler chickens are prone to heatstroke are from 12:00 to 16:00 and from 18:00 to 22:00. Broiler chickens suffering from heatstroke quickly die from convulsions, because in the afternoon and evening the temperature is high and the environment is stuffy and hot, and the body temperature regulation function of broiler chickens has reached its limit. At this time, the body temperature of broiler chickens rises to the critical temperature for heat shock, so they are prone to heatstroke.

Broiler chickens

    Symptoms of broiler chickens with heatstroke: broiler chickens stretch their necks and open their mouths to breathe, and their breathing is rapid and panting, with some broiler chickens making gurgling sounds; feed intake decreases, and some broiler chickens stop eating entirely; because the water intake of broiler chickens increases greatly, the crop can be seen filled with fluid, and the feces become thin; broiler chickens are listless, and the comb turns cyanotic; the body temperature reaches above 44.5°C, soft-shelled eggs and broken-shelled eggs increase, and after eggs are opened, the egg white can be seen to have become thin.

    Prevention and control measures:

    1. Cooling the roof.For the roof of the chicken house, on the sunny side, coat it white with white paint or 6% lime milk. This method is simple and easy to carry out and has a cooling effect. If it is a shed, spray cool water on the roof once every 2--3 hours at noon every day, with the last spraying at 8 p.m.

    2. Ventilation and cooling.Open the windows and doors as much as possible to allow air convection. When necessary, install exhaust fans on the roof of the chicken house. It is necessary to prevent sunlight from shining directly on the broiler flock through windows, doors, and ventilation holes. Some greenery can be planted around the chicken house.

    3. Strengthen feeding.(1) Add 0.1%--1% sodium bicarbonate to the feed to maintain the acid-base balance in the chickens' bodies and relieve heat stress. (2) Provide sufficient clean drinking water, and add 0.02% vitamin C to the water; Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui can also be added. (3) Increase the feeding of succulent feed. Place an appropriate amount of watermelon rind and winter melon rind in the chicken house every day for the broiler chickens to peck at. (4) Increase the protein content in the daily ration by 1--2 percentage points and reduce the use of energy feed, so as to meet the broiler chickens' need for nutrition due to reduced feed intake. (5) Change the feeding time to the cool morning and evening.

    4. Timely prevention and control.(1) When broiler chickens with heatstroke are found, immediately move them to a cool and ventilated place, and prick the comb and wing areas with a needle to let out a few drops of blood. (2) Use 0.05% Baidusha to spray and disinfect the broiler chickens, which can not only kill pathogens and purify the environment, but also lower the house temperature by 1--3°C. (3) Timely remove the accumulated manure in the chicken house to reduce the massive reproduction of microorganisms under high temperature and humidity and the accumulation of toxic and harmful gases in the chicken house.