Poultry farmers have recommended heat strategies amid rising chicken mortality
A poultry farm on the outskirts of Vijayawada. | Photo credit: File photo
Rising mercury levels and intense heat waves have created panic among poultry farmers in the state and many birds are dying due to the heat.
Poultry farmers have reported that many places in NTR, Eluru, West Godavari, Krishna and other areas have seen deaths of chickens in recent days. After that, Veterinary Assistant Surgeons and Assistant Directors of the Animal Husbandry Department visited the villages and educated the farmers on ways to protect the birds.
Due to severe heat waves and high humidity, poultry are dying, veterinarians said. Farmers are advised to keep water in troughs, provide chickens with fresh water and protein feed and sprinkle cold water on and around poultry to prevent die-off, livestock officials said.
“Around one million birds are reared in 243 poultry houses near Tanuk, Tadepalligudem, Eluru, Jangareddigudem and other areas in Eluru district. We are visiting poultry houses and creating awareness among farmers about heat management,” said Joint Director Animal Husbandry (JD-AH) Eluru district Dr. N. Damodar Rao.
“Chicken deaths normally occur during summer, but this year the mortality was higher as the temperature recorded exceeded 45 degrees Celsius. We have placed water coolers and sprinklers around our poultry farm,” Nageswara Rao, a farmer from West Godavari district, said on Tuesday.
“Farmers should ensure free movement of air, reduce humidity and heat in poultry and change the feed given to the birds,” said NTR District Joint Animal Husbandry Director Dr. M. Hanumantha Rao.
“Mortality will be 8-10% in poultry in summer and during transportation every year. But it also depends on the measures taken by farmers. This year the mortality of chickens is more than 15%. We are taking measures to reduce deaths and prevent losses,” said Eshwar, a poultry farmer from NTR district.
Krishna District Collector DK Balaji, who reviewed the situation, directed assistant directors and veterinary doctors to advise farmers to cover the roofs of their poultry farms with paddy straw and hay and supply feed containing B-complex vitamins.
“A lot of poultry is located near Challapalli area of Krishna district. More than 50 lakh birds are reared in 56 poultry farms,” said Joint Director of Animal Husbandry, Krishna district Dr. N. Chinna Narasimhul.
“Due to the heat waves, the growth of chickens has reduced and there has been a decline in egg production,” said Somubabu, a farmer and trader from Krishna district.
Meanwhile, veterinary officials have appealed to farmers to follow scientific methods when disposing of dead birds.
Published – 26 May 2026 19:56 IST