WHAT POULTRY FARMERS SHOULD EXPECT THIS RAINY SEASON.

Poultry business is one of the fast growing businesses in Nigeria. Farmers are making lots of millions from this venture.

Just like every business, there are certain periods farmers must be cautious about.

Rainy season is one of such periods, farmers must be wary of this period; necessary measures should be made in place to tackle any outbreak of threat.

There are certain conditions or occurrence endemic to this period.

• The primary impact is the drop in egg production for laying birds. Chicken are stimulated to lay eggs by day length, long days and increasing day length encourage egg production. Chicken requires about 16 hours of daylight to aid sound production. During rainy season, everywhere becomes cloudy and fewer days light are available. This effect can be alleviated but providing florescent light to mimic the day light, florescent light is the best to use.  With this, the production level would be sustained. 

• Chicken change their feeding habit: their feeding habit changes because the weather is cooler. Their feed consumption increases in order to generate heat. In order to stay warm, they need to burn some calories. During this period, chicken require rich energy source such as fat and oil to sustain this period.               

• Molting occurs during this period, molting takes place during shorter days and cooler temperatures. This process occurs every year when the days get shorter. During molting, chickens typically stop laying and use this period to build their nutrient reserve. Even though they are not laying, chickens should be fed with high quality diet.     

• Chicks get cold easily, adequate brooding facility has to be provided. The brooder house Temperature provided has to compliment the environmental temperature to enable the chicks eat well.

• Prevalence of Diseases: Common disease symptoms during this season include; respiratory distress, nervousness, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, ruffled feathers, swollen face and prostration. These observable symptoms maybe associated with several diseases making it difficult to carry out a differential diagnosis to help identify the particular disease. Majority of farmers identify these symptoms with Newcastle disease  the following are diseases prevalent during rainy season; 

                 i)  Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)

                ii)  Fowl pox

                iii) Fowl Cholera

                iv) E-coli and Salmonella

       

 However, the extent of disease occurence, morbidity and mortality rate during this period is majorly a factor of the type of management practice and vaccination status of the birds.

• Mud Balls on the Chicken feet can also become a problem, when chickens are walking on wet floors. Because of the scratching behavior of chicken, soil and manure can augment on the birds’ claws and ends of their toes. If allow to grow bigger. They can inhibit walking and can result in broken toes. The poultry floor must be kept clean and dry always with the aid of litter materials. 

 Conclusively, poultry farmers have to prepare well for this period. Adequate hygiene measures have to be put in place to curb and outbreak.