European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY DURING MONSOON SEASON

A. W. Lakkawar*, S. Venugopal, R. Kumar, S. Uma, M.G.Nair and M. Sivakumar

ABSTRACT

The litter and manure management during precipitation/rainfall for short or long duration in the monsoon season is considered as the most important deciding factor in the health and profit of poultry industry. Every poultry farmer must consider certain measures very seriously to avoid diseases and also to get the maximum profit out of the chicken in terms of production, growth, mortality and FCR. Litter is where the chickens spend all their life, in floor rearing system, from the time they are housed until the birds are marketed. The monsoon flux causes high humidity, sudden change in the temperatures and soggy rainfall are considered as potential threat to the farm management practices. Wet litter and the droppings offers the most preferred ground for the growth of micro-organism responsible for the flaring up of the various infectious conditions in the poultry. In addition, the dampness of litter and high humidity allow fungal proliferation resulting into production of mycotoxins in the feed material. Ingestion of feed contaminated with fungal toxins cause widespread morbidity and mortality of birds. Proper management and preventive measures are advised during the stressful conditions in monsoon season. Necessary steps are to be undertaken by the farmers in order to prevent the contamination of litter and feed to avoid production loss and mortality of poultry.

Keywords: Monsoon season, Care, Management, Poultry.