Hi Everyone,
It's another beautiful day and it's a great privilege to be again on this amazing platform and it's with great pleasure that I'm welcoming everyone to my blog and I hope you're all doing well and having a great day.
I will like to share with some vital information regarding the effects of harmattan on poultryfarm business and some tips to follow to achieve productivity during harmattan period.
Before going deep on my discussion about the effects of harmattan on poultry birds, I will like to first explain what's the meaning of is:
Meaning Of Harmattan
Harmattan is a particular period or season in Nigeria and it can also be referred to as dry season because during this period the soil is dried up due to lack of rain and everywhere is going to be dusty and the weather is very cold during this period.
Harmattan season can have a major challenges and setbacks to poultryfarm business and especially to health state of the birds because it's a great challenges for the birds to survive under the harsh weather during harmattan period and if proper measure is not taken, it may lead to great disaster in poultryfarm business.
Harmattan period really have a great effects on any living things state of health and below I will be discussing the effects of harmattan on the poultry birds:
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF HARMATTAN SEASON ON POULTRY BIRDS
1. DISEASE AND LESS PRODUCTIVITY
As I mentioned earlier that harmattan season can also be referred to as dry season because during this period everywhere is dry up and dusty and the weather become very cold which open birds to the risk of being infected with disease.
The cold, dry weather and dusty environment can a have great negative effect on the growth and development of broilersbird which may leads to weight losing, reduce feed intake and also affect the activeness of the birds.
2. RESPIRATORY DISTRESS
Respiratory distress is very common among poultry birds especially during this harmattan period due to the weather condition and the dusty wind which can settle in the bird's respiratory tract thereby causing disease like chronic respiratory disease (CRD) and Newcastle disease.
3. HIGH MORTALITY
During harmattan period, there is seems to be increase in mortality especially among chicks because this what I have went through as I lost five chicks just after three days of bringing them in from the hatchery company.
During harmattan period, it's very difficult for the chicks to main their body metabolic activities due to low temperature and this may affect them to fall sick and die.
TIPS TO ACHIEVE GOOD PRODUCTION DURING HARMATTAN SEASON
1. BROODING(Heat sourcing)
Proper brooding is very crucial and a must to ensure the safety of your birds and must be optimal at all times. It is very important to ensure proper brood practice is at it's peak so that the chicks can be safe and grow stronger and healthy.
2. GOOD NUTRITION
It is very important to provide good nutrition to the birds in terms of quality feeds and drinkable water which helps to build their immunity against harmful disease.
3.PEN INSULATION
Make sure to adhere to good management practice through following proper measure and insulate your bird's pen against cold and dusty wind,and by doing that you also reduce heat loss in bird's pen or coop.
4. GETTING YOUR CHICKS FROM A RELIABLE HATCHERY
And lastly, always make sure that you're getting your chicks from a reliable and reputable hatchery that have and maintain good track record.
That's all for today. I hope you find this post useful and don't forget to drop your opinion on the comments section.
See you soon....
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