scholarly journals Managemental Interventions to Reduce Heat Stress in Chickens

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratik R. Wankhade ◽  
Amol J. Talokar ◽  
Brijesh Patel ◽  
Diwakar Verma

Chickens are very sensitive to environmental temperature. Their growth, egg production and health are severely affected during extremes of weather conditions. Therefore, within the economically feasible limits, optimum temperature has to be provided to the poultry birds, in order to obtain optimal growth rate and returns from the farming entity. During the summer season, the chickens will need more special attention. Chickens have a much higher body temperature than other animals and humans. The average body temperature for a chicken normally will run at 102-103 °F. Their heart rate is normally 280-315 beats per minute. Another fact is a rooster will take around 18-20 breaths per minute while a hen has 30-35 breaths per minute. The average life span for an egg laying chicken is around 5-8 years for large breeds such as your Rhode Island Red’s but have been known to live 20 years while broiler meat purpose birds only live up to 1-3 years. The summer heat can create more problems for chickens than cold weather. It’s easy to see they are insulated well with many feathers. Chickens fluff up their feathers as many birds will do which traps air between the layers which keep them warm during cold weather. In hot weather they seek out shade. They lay down and spread their wings and bodies out to cool down. However, the provision of cold drinking water can ameliorate huge amount of stress from the chickens.

1913 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 110-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sutherland Simpson

SummaryMonthly observations, extending over one year, were made on the rectal temperature of 114 domestic fowls (Gallus gallus, ♀) and records from forty-one of these were obtained for two years. Six different breeds were used, each located in a separate pen, all under similar conditions, and the mean temperatures for each group were plotted out to form an annual temperature curve. It was found that—1. The lowest temperatures occur in December, January, and February, and the highest in June, July, and August, corresponding in a general way with the temperature of the external air.2. Barometric pressure does not appear to have any influence on the body temperature of the hen.3. The curve of egg-production does not coincide with the annual temperature curve, the former reaching its highest level in April and May, the latter in June, July, and August.If we compare the mean rectal temperature at two periods of the year when the external or weather conditions are approximately the same (April-May and September-October), but when the vitality of the birds, as indicated by the curve of egg-production, moulting, etc., is at a maximum and minimum respectively, we find that the figures are practically identical. This would seem to show that cyclical bodily changes have little effect on body temperature as compared with outside influences.


2014 ◽  
Vol 627 ◽  
pp. 445-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Il Jang ◽  
Wan Shin Park ◽  
Sun Woong Kim ◽  
Song Hui Yun ◽  
Hyun Do Yun ◽  
...  

This paper addresses the influence of cold weather on the compressive strength of high performance concrete with silica fume under different curing days. Test variables of this study are weather condition (5°C, -5°C and-15°C) and different curing days (7days and 28 days). In this work, the specimen was designed a water-binder ratio of 0.34. One batches of concrete were prepared for each mixing hour, and the compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens was measured after 7 and 28 days. Test results for concrete compressive strength show that the concrete’s best mechanical performance occurred when there was the least difference between ambient temperature and concrete temperature, that is, during the later hours of the day in hot weather conditions.


1934 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 636-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Willcox

SummaryA nitrogen balance experiment of ten weeks' duration with two Rhode Island Red laying hens is described.The observed variations in the retention of nitrogen for egg-producing purposes do not appear to be connected with the output of egg nitrogen or with the number of eggs laid in the various egg cycles.The view held by other workers that the nitrogen required for egg production can be largely if not entirely drawn from the food supplied during the laying period is confirmed.The marked storage of nitrogen which has been shown to occur immediately prior to the commencement of egg laying is not repeated during the laying period, and it is suggested that during a period of heavy egg production synthesis of the nitrogenous constituents of the egg proceeds at a fairly uniform rate.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 500
Author(s):  
Gábor Milisits ◽  
Sándor Szász ◽  
Tamás Donkó ◽  
Zoltán Budai ◽  
Anita Almási ◽  
...  

The experiment was carried out with altogether 1740 non-beak-trimmed laying hens, which originated from Bábolna TETRA Ltd., representing two different types (Rhode Island Red (RIR) and Rhode Island White (RIW)) and four different lines (Lines 1–2: RIR, Lines 3–4: RIW). The plumage and body condition of randomly selected 120 hens (30 hens/line) was examined at 20, 46, and 62 weeks of age. The egg production and the mortality of the sampled hens were recorded daily. Based on the results, it was established that the lines differ clearly in most of the examined traits. It was also pointed out that injurious pecking of the hens resulted not only in damages in the plumage but also in the body condition. The results obviously demonstrated that the highest egg production and the lowest mortality rate were reached by those hens, which had the best plumage and body condition. Because the occurrence of injurious pecking seems to depend on the genetic background, selection of the hens (lines, families, individuals) for calm temperament will be very important in the future in order to maintain the high production level in non-beak-trimmed layer flocks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-435
Author(s):  
Nikola Čobanović ◽  
Saša Novaković ◽  
Igor Tomašević ◽  
Nedjeljko Karabasil

Abstract. This study investigated the interactive effects of weather conditions, transportation time and loading density on carcass damages and meat quality traits of market-weight pigs under commercial conditions. The following pork quality parameters were measured: pH and temperature; colour; drip, thawing and cooking loss; and textural traits. Pigs were assigned to one of eight groups arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design according to the weather conditions (hot and cold), transportation time (short and long) and loading density (high and low). A three-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-test (multiple comparisons) were performed to assess the differences between groups in examined pork quality traits. Pigs exposed to short transportation (∼ 20 min) at high loading density (0.29 m2/100kg) during hot weather conditions produced meat with the lowest initial and ultimate meat pH value and sensory colour scores, and the highest initial temperature and the occurrence of pale, soft and exudative pork. The occurrence of pale, soft and exudative pork was reduced 5-fold during hot weather conditions when pigs were exposed to longer transportation (∼ 210 min) and low loading density (0.53 m2/100kg). Pigs exposed to short transportation (∼ 20 min) at high loading density (0.41 m2/100kg) during cold weather conditions produced the highest quality pork (the highest percentage of red, firm and non-exudative pork) characterised by lowest drip loss and b∗ value and the highest sensory colour scores. The highest percentages of carcass damages were recorded in pigs exposed to both low (0.50 m2/100kg) and high (0.33 m2/100kg) loading density during long transportation (∼ 210 min) in cold weather conditions. In conclusion, weather conditions and loading density are of greater importance for the occurrence of carcass damages and pork quality variation than transportation time.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian C. Dunn ◽  
Dirk-Jan De Koning ◽  
Heather A. McCormack ◽  
Robert H. Fleming ◽  
Peter W. Wilson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The physiological adaptations that have evolved for egg laying make hens susceptible to bone fractures and keel bone damage. In modern laying hen breeds, longer periods of egg laying could result in a greater risk of poor bone quality, and selection for increased egg production has frequently been stated to be a cause. However, the existing literature does not support this hypothesis. To test the hypothesis that egg production is associated with quality, breaking strength and density of bone, genetic correlations between these traits were estimated in White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red breeds. Genetic correlations of cortical and medullary bone material chemical properties with bone quality were also estimated, in order to identify methods to improve bone quality with appropriately targeted measurement of key traits. Results Estimates of heritability for bone quality traits were moderate (0.19–0.59) for both White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red breeds, except for the keel bone trait, which had a heritability estimate equal to zero. There was no evidence for genetic or phenotypic relationships between post-peak egg production and bone quality. In the White Leghorn breed, the estimate of the genetic correlation between pre-peak production/age at first egg and bone quality was significant and negative (− 0.7 to − 0.4). Estimates of heritability of thermogravimetric measurements of tibial medullary bone mineralisation were significant (0.18–0.41), as were estimates of their genetic correlations with tibia breaking strength and density (0.6–0.9). Conclusions The low genetic correlation of post-peak egg production with bone quality suggests that selection for increased persistency of egg production may not adversely affect bone quality. Onset of puberty and mineralisation of the medullary bone, which is a specialised adaptation for egg laying, were identified as important factors associated with the quality of the skeleton later during egg production. These are traits for which genetic, as well as environmental and management factors can positively impact the overall quality of the skeleton of laying hens.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Getachew Bekele

Heat stress is a situation where too much heat is absorbed by a person, a plant or an animal and causes stress, illness or even death. Therefore, the objective of this review was to compile current knowledge and evidence from literature about the effects of heat stress in poultry production, and productivities. Heat stress is manifested by elevated body temperature, hot, dry skin, lack of sweating and neurological symptoms such as paralysis, headache, vertigo and unconsciousness. Poultry seems to be particularly sensitive to temperature-associated environmental challenges, especially heat stress. In the first days of their life poultry need hot climate (32-38°C), but the optimal temperature decreases rapidly with age by 2.5-3.0°C per week. Birds may use sand baths to dissipate the heat from the body, move to a shaded area or seek a micro-environment that avoids extremely high environmental temperature. Birds rose in an open-sided house at 37°C and humidity level of 50-60% showed signs of panting and wing lifting, elevation of body temperature, lower feed consumption, a higher feed conversion ratio, and lowered body weight gain. In females, heat stress can disrupt the normal status of reproductive hormones at the hypothalamus and ovary leading to reduced systemic levels and functions. Also in males, semen volume, sperm concentration, number of live sperm cells and motility decrease when subjected to heat stress. In egg production, heat stress has a significant harmful impact on body weight, and feed consumption of laying hens at peak production, egg weight, shell weight, shell thickness, and gravity. Both meat type and egg laying chickens respond negatively to high ambient temperatures. Heat stress reduces the relative weights of lymphoid organs like spleen, thymus and cloacae bursa.


2017 ◽  
pp. 734-744
Author(s):  
M. A. Ibrahim ◽  
William Hogland ◽  
E. Elmberg ◽  
A. Lönnermark ◽  
H. Person

Growing energy demands and global emphasis on employing sustainable energy resources to meet energy requirements result in increased importance of MSW (municipal solid waste) as a valuable carbondioxide neutral fuel. There is a need to study the factors that may lead to selfignition of MSW, if stored for sufficiently longer period of time. A better understanding of these factors may help in establishing the practicle guidelines for efficient handling of MSW and to reduce the environmental and social costs caused by selfigniting fires. Its importance is evident from the fact that millions of euros are lost every year in Sweden because of spontaneous fires. These fires cause loss of valuable material and injuries to people, and they are also associated with intense environmental pollution, in particular in the form of smoke and water pollution. This study is based on a questionnaire survey among the members of the Swedish waste management association (Avfall Sverige), whose members service 95% of the Swedish population. The response to the survey was 60%. A total of 96 major surface fires have been reported in the past 10 years at storage sites. 74% of these 96 fire incidents were due to self-ignition, 11% were due to known causes other than self-ignition and 15% were due to unknown reasons. In reference to the type of storage, 50% of these 96 fire incidents took place at sites that store both household and industrial waste, 20% at sites that store only industrial waste, and 30% at sites that store household, industrial, and agricultural waste. Regarding the most frequent cause of fire at any storage site, 33% of respondents relate the fire incidents with extreme hot weather conditions, 8% of respondents report that fire incidents at their storage site are mostly an aftereffect of rainfall, 13% relate the fire incidents with cold weather in December, and 46% of respondents experienced the fire incidents throughout the whole year. Based on data covering the last 10 years, the average annual amount of emissions of dioxins is (upper/lower bound) TCDD 0.03/0.12 g, PAH 0.98/3.7 tons, PCB 1.66/6.31 g, Hg 16.51/62.59 g, and VOC 18/68 tons from MSW storage fires in Sweden.


Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Dhimish ◽  
Abdullah Alrashidi

This article presents the analysis of degradation rate over 10 years (2008 to 2017) for six different photovoltaic (PV) sites located in the United Kingdom (mainly affected by cold weather conditions) and Australia (PV affected by hot weather conditions). The analysis of the degradation rate was carried out using the year-on-year (YOY) degradation technique. It was found that the degradation rate in the UK systems varies from −1.05% and −1.16%/year. Whereas a higher degradation ranging from −1.35% to −1.46%/year is observed for the PV systems installed in Australia. Additionally, it was found that in the Australian PV systems multiple faulty PV bypass diodes are present due to the rapid change in the ambient temperature and uneven solar irradiance levels influencing the PV modules. However, in cold weather conditions (such as in the Northern UK) none of the bypass diodes were damaged over the considered PV exposure period. Furthermore, the number of PV hot spots have also been observed, where it was found that in the UK-based PV systems the number of hot spotted PV modules are less than those found in the Australian systems. Finally, the analysis of the monthly performance ratio (PR) was calculated. It was found that the mean monthly PR is equal to 88.81% and 86.35% for PV systems installed in the UK and Australia, respectively.


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