Feeding Chickens in Hot Weather Can Be a Challenge

Jun 14, 2023

Birds behave very much like other livestock in hot weather.

As the temperature climbs, the bird's activity will change to handle the stress of heat. Panting, slowing of body movements, increased water consumption, and reduced feed consumption are common. Many of these activities affect the production of meat and eggs and can cause serious issues if the heat wave is prolonged.

Let's examine some of these behaviors closely.

Heavy breathing or panting is the main way birds lose body heat. If it is carried to the extreme, the pH of the bird could change and we will see thin shells produced, or a drop in daily weight gain in meat birds. If the bird is spending most of its time panting and lying down, it is not eating.

A reduction in daily feed intake means the bird is not receiving adequate nutrition of proteins and minerals such as calcium. Case weight is a good indicator of how the birds are converting protein and calcium into eggs.

Birds will eat to satisfy their energy needs, and with hot weather their energy needs are much lower than in mild weather. In addition, the food they will eat will create heat from digestion that will add to the birds’ need to lose heat by panting.

Knowing this, most poultry keepers will work to keep the environment the birds occupy as hospitable as possible. Fans, foggers, evaporation pads and other devices help keep the birds cool and help the bird lose heat from the food it digests.

Be sure to service these systems often during hot weather to keep them operating properly. Evaporation pads need to be inspected and possibly flushed to ensure proper wetting with water. Fans should be brushed to clean the blades to make them more efficient. Clogged misting nozzles need to be switched out and serviced if build-up is seen.

Move some of the day's feed allotment into the evenings so heat from digestion can be released better. A stir cycle of the feed system can also stimulate feeding so that the birds get adequate nutrition. Work with your nutritionist and flock service rep if body weight or case weight declines two weeks in a row. Nutrient density can be increased, and additives can be given to boost protein consumption and calcium intake. Be sure to weigh birds to check against breeder targets for body weight by age.

Close monitoring of the flock is important to weather the dog days of summer. By anticipating bird behavior, effects on production can be minimized.

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