How to manage heat stress in poultry

Timothy Sande at his Kamsa Poultry farm in Sinyolo, Kisumu West. [Kevine Omollo, Standard]

Of late, ambient temperatures have been on the rise in most parts of the country, as such incidents of heat stress have been reported in flocks on the finisher and egg-laying stages. Birds perform well at temperatures between 18-23 C degrees. Prolonged heat stress above 35 degrees centigrade in chickens will impact negatively flock performance, well-being and ultimately profitability of a flock. Most of our farmers grow their birds in open-sided barns that are more prone to heat stress effects as compared to birds kept in environmentally controlled units. Growing birds in an open-sided housing system in a hot environment is not always easy.