By Rex Mphisa
Agritex specialists at Beitbridge have advised farmers to create cool spots for their chickens during hot days to mitigate against the birds deaths.
Several people running small to medium chicken rearing enterprises lost many birds to heat stress in the last few days.
“People must create cooling spots in the fowl runs by putting river sand and water it so the birds can cool themselves. Under such circumstances provision of ample shade and ensure constant access to cool, fresh water, and improve ventilation in fowl run,” an expert at Beitbridge Agritex office said.
“You should not dip them in water, chickens do not bath but have instincts to cool themselves if conducive environments are provided,” said the official.
He said in hot conditions appropriate well-ventilated pens should be built while taking note of reptiles that attack birds.
“A wall must be raised to about three to four standard brick lines to avoid snakes then a fence is erected under asbestos or thatch. Only in cases where ceilings are provided should one use iron sheets,” said the official.
“Keep water sources full of cool water, adding ice cubes or frozen water bottles to keep it chilled. Consider using a shallow tray with bricks in cool water for them to stand and mist or spray the ground in their run with water in the morning and evening to cool the area as it evaporates.,” the official said.
During the hot season the staggering of flocks is important to avoid overcrowding.