Heat Stress & Summer Care

Birds dissipate heat poorly because they do not sweat. As shed temperature and humidity rise, they rely increasingly on panting and behavioural changes: spreading wings, reducing movement, drinking more and eating less. The risk depends on effective temperature, which combines air temperature, humidity, air speed, stocking density, bird weight and acclimatisation. Heavy broilers and birds at peak production generate more metabolic heat and can deteriorate rapidly during still, humid afternoons or power interruptions.

Panting is already evidence that heat load is affecting the bird. Monitor weather forecasts and house conditions continuously rather than waiting for mortality. Early changes include crowding near air inlets, wing spreading, reduced feeding and increased water-to-feed ratio; severe signs include open-mouth panting, weakness, prostration and sudden mortality. Chronic exposure may present as slower gain, poorer FCR, thin shells, reduced egg production, fertility loss and weaker immune response. High water demand can expose marginal pump capacity or poor water quality exactly when reliable cooling is essential. Log inlet and exhaust conditions because pad performance, air speed and humidity can vary materially through a long house. Nutritional support may help maintain osmotic balance, antioxidant defences and stress adaptation, but it does not cool the bird. Air speed, evaporative cooling performance, cool drinking water, stocking decisions and feeding schedule remain primary. Build a written hot-weather and power-failure plan, test it before summer, and review dead-bird patterns with a veterinarian rather than assuming every warm-season loss is heat stroke.