Farm hacks during harmattan season
Harmattan season is naturally characterized with cold mornings, hot afternoons with dry and dusty air. These characteristics of the season impacts on the health, welfare and productivity of the birds, thereby, demanding that the farmer makes conscious decision to practice some poultry management tips during the harmattan season. These tips help to improve the flock welfare.
Effective poultry farm management during harmattan demands that the farmer note and practice some key tips that can help improve the welfare, health and productivity of the flock –
| S/N | Aspect | Management tips |
| 1 | Housing | 1. To minimize direct exposure to cold wind and dust, cover the open side of the house with thick material 2. Use brooder heater to maintain warmth especially for chicks during the cold morning and nights 3. Allow sunlight to enter the house in the afternoon to naturally warm up the house 4. Use sprinkler or wetting agents around the house to reduce dust levels. |
| 2 | Feeding | 1. Constantly make clean water available for drinking because of the hot air, especially in the afternoon to prevent dehydration. 2. Serve energy-rich feed to help the flock maintain body temperature. 3. Provide lukewarm water in the cold mornings to avoid chilling. 4. Avoid direct exposure of water tank to the sun to avoid serving hot water in the hot afternoon weather 5. Add supplements to drinking water to boost birds’ immunity and reduce stress |
| 3 | Disease Prevention | 1. Give necessary vaccination at due time to prevent respiratory disease and ailment that are more common during the harmattan season. 2. Enforce strict biosecurity to minimize visitors’ visit consequently reduce the risk of disease introduction and spread among the flock. 3. Limit activities that may stress the birds, harmattan naturally increases environmental stress. 4. Keenly observe birds for signs of stress, illness or abnormal behavior and promptly attend to such to curb adverse impacts. |
Conclusion –
Effective poultry farm management during the harmattan season is essential to maintaining a healthy and productive flock. By implementing proper housing adjustments, nutrition, hydration, and disease prevention strategies, farmers can minimize the adverse effects of the dry and cold weather on their birds. Proactive care not only safeguards the flock’s well-being but also ensures consistent egg production and overall farm profitability.
Are you ready to protect your poultry farm this harmattan season? Start applying these management tips today to keep your birds healthy and thriving. Have any personal experiences or additional tips to share? Drop a comment below or connect with us for more poultry farming insights!
Cheers
Read more on poultry diseases https://poultrygist.com.ng/2024/11/zoonotic-poultry-diseases/
