* Reduced egg production: Heat stress can cause hens to stop laying eggs or to produce fewer eggs.
* Poor growth: Heat stress can slow down the growth of young chicks and poults.
* Increased mortality: Heat stress can lead to death, especially in young birds.
In order to survive and thrive in hot summer conditions, poultry chickens need to have the ability to adapt to and tolerate high temperatures. There are a number of ways that chickens can do this, including:
* Panting: Chickens pant to cool down by evaporating water from their lungs.
* Drooping their wings: Chickens droop their wings to increase the surface area of their bodies and to allow heat to escape.
* Seeking shade: Chickens will seek out shade to avoid direct sunlight.
* Drinking plenty of water: Chickens need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
* Reducing activity: Chickens will reduce their activity levels to conserve energy and stay cool.
Some breeds of chickens are more heat tolerant than others. In general, chickens with white feathers are more heat tolerant than those with dark feathers. Chickens with a large body size are also more heat tolerant than those with a small body size.
By selecting heat tolerant breeds of chickens and by providing them with adequate shade, water, and ventilation, poultry farmers can help their chickens to survive and thrive during the hot summer months.