WINTER AND MONSOON MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION:

Winter season has direct impact on the performance of the birds. During winter when temperature goes down below 55˚F various problems occur, like:

*Reduction in egg production

* Reduction in water intake

* Reduction in fertility

* Hatchability

WINTER STRESS FACTORS:

* Clinical disease challenges

* Vaccination reactions

* Chillness in chick transportation

* Poor quality and chilling water

* Discomfort cold temperature

* Bad litter condition / Toxic gases

* Excessive humidity

* Poor ventilation and lighting

FOLLOWING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT DURING WINTER SEASONS ARE:

1) SHED MANAGEMENT:

* Ensure that maximum sun light enters the shed during day time.

* Birds should be protected from chilled wind. For this curtain should be hanged at the places from where the cold air enters. These curtains should be hanged as soon as sunlight goes in the evening till the arrival of sunlight in the next morning.

* Side curtains should be up to bird’s height to avoid direct chill air flowing to the birds.

2) CURTAIN MANAGEMENT:

* We should gradually open the side curtain from the top to half of the side mesh when the temperature is more than the maximum and then fully closed down when the temperature is less than the minimum.

* Ceiling curtains and side curtains should not be removed abruptly at the end of the brooding period. It should be removed gradually.

3) LIGHTING MANAGEMENT:

* During winter period in the evening switch on the lights (especially in laying farms) as soon as the sun starts to set. Because when compared to normal season during winter sun sets early, so don’t wait till lighting schedule.

4) VENTILATION

* During winter season it is necessary to keep house / shed with plenty of ventilation.

* Birds releases lot of moisture in their breath and dropping which adversely affects their health, if there is restricted ventilation it causes ammonia build up in the air which causes respiratory problems.

* So they need plenty of air circulating around the shed. For this purpose sliding windows are useful as they can be opened during day and closed during night.

5) FEED MANAGEMENT:

* It is essential to give the birds more feed during winter as they require extra energy to maintaining body temperature.

* More feed means, along with energy, other nutrients also consumed more which are actually not needed and they become a waste. To avoid this wastage in winter, energy sources like Oil / Fat should be added to the diet.

* Consumption of calories of ME/Bird/Day varies as the ambient temperature changes .These differences are given in the table.

SEASON ME/BIRD/DAYSummer 240 - 270Winter 280 - 320

* In winter numbers of feeders should be increased as compared to summer.

6) WATER MANAGEMENT:

* During winter season birds take less water, so it is necessary to give continuous supply of fresh and clean water.

*If water temperature is very cold then it is necessary to add hot water to it, so that water comes to normal temperature.

* The waterer (drinkers) should be removed few hours prior to water medication / vaccination and to be given less amount of medicated / vaccinated water. So that birds can consume total water and each birds get benefit of medicine / vaccine or other supplements.

* After feeding in growing and laying stage, flash out the pipe line and clean the drinkers to allow fresh water from the tank. During night time the water inside pipeline become chill. To avoid this we should open the pipe line in early morning.

* Ensure that the water intake is 1:3 (Feed: Water) to achieve good productivity.

7) LITTER MANAGEMENT:

* A good quality litter serves as an insulator in maintaining uniform temperature also insulates the chicks from the cooling effects of ground and provides protection cushion between bird and floor. Also absorbs moisture and promotes drying.

*It dilutes faecal materials thus reducing contact between birds and manure.

* About 6 inches of litter is needed in shed during winter.

8) SPACE MANAGEMENT:

Floor space has to be maintained as specified in the table. This will enable us to place the required drinkers and feeders in turn to avoid huddling and wet litters.

FLOOR SPACE FOR DEEP LITTERAGE FEMALE (Sq./ chicks or Birds) MALE (Sq./ chicks or Birds)

0 – 4 days 0.25 0.35 – 7 days 0.6 0.8

8 – 14 days 0.8 115 -21 days 1.2 1.5

4th – 7th week 1.5 3.58th week 2 3.5

7th – 24th week 2.5 3.525th week onwards 3 3.5

FLOOR SPACE FOR DEEP LITTERAGE (DAYS) No’s of chicks / Cage box0 – 7 days 8 - 108 – 20 days 6 - 8

21 days onwards 5 – 6 (based on shed capacity)

BROODING MANAGEMENT DURING WINTER

* Supervisors and in-charges should compulsorily visit brooding farms daily around 3am – 6am (cool hours) and required temperature is maintained, feed & water are available and also check on the behavior if the chicks. Warm water to be given to chicks during brooding.

* The chillness of the chicks can be felt by keeping the chicks feet on the back side of the palm or face to know the floor temperature. If you feel chillness in feet, we should increase the depth of the husk or increase the heating source.

* Withdrawal of heat should be gradual, sudden withdrawal of heats lead to huddling, unevenness and Ascites.

* Check the light intensity in the brooding area so that chicks can easily access the feeders and drinkers. Ensure proper cleaning of drinker twice a day & pipelines cleaning once in a week.