With the weather getting warmer, it’s important to remember that the increase in temperature can have a significant impact on your birds. Understanding how to spot the early signs of heat stress and taking proactive steps before, during and after the heat wave can make all the difference.
Birds of all ages can succumb to heat stress, and it can have a severe impact on gut health or even death in its most severe form. An increase in body temperature to over 41.5°C is irreversible, and you will struggle to get chicks and poults back after heat stress.
Here are the signs to look out for, and what you can do before, during and after a period of hot weather to support your birds.
What is heat stress?
Birds don’t sweat. Instead, they rely on panting and drinking to keep cool. Typically, the body temperature of a pheasant is around 40°C and a partridge 40.7°C. When it goes above this, they become heat stressed. This can lead to a down regulation of their immune system and an increased susceptibility to disease. At its most severe, this will leave to massive cell damage and systemic inflammation, which will result in shock and death.
What are the signs of heat stress?
Any bird with its beak open is abnormal. If it’s panting, that bird is at a point where it is being heat stressed. Wings usually come out from their body as there’s a little area of skin that they use to cool down under their wings. But if birds are displaying signs they are hot, they are already experiencing damage from overheating, and their gut health will be severely compromised because of it.
Things to look out for
- Seeking space/moving away from other birds
- Moving to a cooler area (this leads to greater risk of smothering as they all gravitate to the same areas)
- Holding their wings away from their body
- Panting
How you can prepare
- Dry the environment e.g. remove wet bedding, fix leaky drinkers
- Get the temperature in the shed as low as possible
- Clean the water lines
- Identify any sources of humidity
- Birds won’t drink hot water, so burying/insulate/cover water pipes or header tanks
During hot weather
- Provide cooler areas in the rearing shed
- Increase ventilation
- For birds over 14 days that have full access to the runs, provide areas of long grass to encourage them out of the sheds and provide shade
- Have feeders and drinkers outside where it may be cooler and ensure they are easy to access
- Maintain good water hygiene and monitor water temperature. Flush lines regularly and sanitise them with Aqua-clean. Warmer water encourages bacteria growth. Ice or ice blocks can also be added to header tanks to rapidly cool the water
- If birds are showing signs of heat stress, use electrolytes (Solulyte Plus) or Biostarter to keep the birds hydrated
After warmer weather
- Encourage birds to eat and drink as they’ll be tired
- Consider using Energy Plus. But do not mix Heat Stress Plus and Energy Plus as this will block the water line
Birds may show secondary symptoms a few days after – get in touch with your vet if you’re concerned as treatment with antibiotics might be an option.
