LPM 221: Commercial Poultry Production and Hatchery Management (1+1)

SUMMER MANAGEMENT

• Chickens are very sensitive to environmental temperature. Their growth, egg production and health are severely affected during extremes of weather. Therefore, within the economically feasible limits, ideal temperature has to be provided to the birds, in order to obtain optimal growth rate and returns from the birds.
• For optimum feed efficiency, an ideal temperature range of 21^oC- 24^oC is needed. However in tropical climates, these temperature ranges may be obtained during winter only.
• During other seasons especially during summer, the ambient temperature goes several degrees higher than the ideal zone causing severe depression in the growth rate and egg production thereby leading to great economic loss to the poultry farmer.
• By proper summer management, these losses can be overcome to a great extent.