Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T13:37:35.736Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Nutrition and management of heat-stressed pullets and laying hens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

D. Balnave  and
J. Brake
D. Balnave
Affiliation:
Department of Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7608, USA
J. Brake*
Affiliation:
Department of Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7608, USA
*
*Corresponding author: jbrake@ncsu.edu
Get access

Abstract

Maximum daily temperatures in excess of 30°C are common in many table egg-producing regions of the world. Such temperatures require the application of specialized management and nutrition if laying hens are to produce eggs near their genetic potential. Environmentally-modified buildings have been shown to be especially advantageous for commercial layers that are housed in high density cage facilities. Directing air movement onto floor-housed birds has also been found to maximize heat loss and was beneficial as long as the air temperature did not exceed body temperature. This latter procedure was especially useful where sporadic incidences of heat stress were common.

Nutritional manipulation of the diet also offers advantages, especially in overcoming problems of reduced appetite. This principle has been shown to apply to both growing pullets and adult layers. Recent research has confirmed that optimum production during lay depends on the adult hen having an adequate gut capacity and sufficient nutrition during rearing. Egg production during moderate heat stress can be improved by increasing the intake of protein relative to energy but energy requirements will likely increase in severe heat stress. Dietary supplementation with ascorbic acid and vitamin E and a supply of cool drinking water have also been reported to improve production during lay but the response to the latter treatment varied with genotype.

Keywords

heat stressgrowing pulletslaying hensheat lossdietary manipulation
Type
Reviews
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 61 , Issue 3 , September 2005 , pp. 399 - 406
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Balnave, D. (1987) Short term manipulation of egg weight. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 40: 195–203.Google Scholar
Balnave, D. and Muheereza, S.K. (1997) Improving eggshell quality at high temperatures with dietary sodium bicarbonate. Poultry Science 79: 588–93.Google Scholar
Balnave, D. and Muheereza, S.K. (1998) Intermittent lighting and dietary sodium bicarbonate supplementation for laying hens at high temperatures. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49: 279–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Balnave, D. and Murtisari Abdoellah, T.M. (1990) Self-select feeding of commercial pullets using a complete layer diet and a separate protein concentrate at cool and hot temperatures. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 41: 549–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bollengier-Lee, S., Williams, P.E.V. and Whitehead, C.C. (1999) Optimal dietary concentration of vitamin E for alleviating the effect of heat stress on egg production in laying hens. British Poultry Science 40: 102–07.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bottcher, R.W., Driggers, L.B., Pardue, S.L., Brake, J. and Bisesi, P.S. (1991) Comparison of diurnal ventilation strategies for poultry. Paper No. 914562. ASAE Winter MeetingDecember 17–20Chicago, IL.Google Scholar
Bottcher, R.W., Bisesi, P.S., Driggers, L.B., Brake, J., Pardue, S.L. and Etheredge, A.M. (1993a) Reducing mixing fan thermostat set points in naturally ventilated broiler housing during hot weather. Poultry Science 72 (Suppl. 1): 155.Google Scholar
Bottcher, R.W., Brake, J., Baughman, G.R. and Magura, J.R. (1993b) Vertically directed mixing fans for cooling floor-raised poultry. Paper No. 934518. ASAE Winter Mtg. Chicago, IL, December 12–17.Google Scholar
Cheng, T.K., Coon, C.N. and Hamre, M.L. (1990) Effect of environmental stress on the ascorbic acid requirements of laying hens. Poultry Science 69: 774–80.Google Scholar
Cheng, T.K., Peguri, A., Hamre, M.L. and Coon, C.N. (1991) Effect of rearing regimens on pullet growth and subsequent laying performance. Poultry Science 70: 907–16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Czarick, M. (1989) Circulation fan placement in curtain-sided broiler houses. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture, Athens GA.Google Scholar
Czarick, M. and Tyson, B.L. (1989) Design considerations for tunnel-ventilated broiler houses. ASAE Paper No. 89–4527, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI.Google Scholar
Daghir, N.J. (1995) Replacement pullet and layer feeding and management in hot climates. Pages 219–253 in: Poultry Production in Hot Climates (Daghir, N.J., ed), CAB International.Google Scholar
Davis, R.H., Hassan, O.E.M. and Sykes, A.H. (1972) The adaptation of energy utilization in the laying hen to warm and cool ambient temperatures. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 79: 363–69.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Andrade, A.N., Rogler, J.C., Featherston, W.R. and Alliston, C.W. (1977) Interrelationships between diet and elevated temperatures (cyclic and constant) on egg production and shell quality. Poultry Science 56: 1178–88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Donald, J. (2001) Poultry house ventilation guide. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Publication ANR-956 (January 2001 Revision). Auburn University, AL36849.Google Scholar
Glatz, P.C. (2001) Effect of cool drinking water on production and shell quality of laying hens in summer. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science 14: 850–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huston, T.M. (1978) The effect of environmental temperature on potassium concentrations in the blood of the domestic fowl. Poultry Science 57: 54–6.Google Scholar
Jevne, C.J. and Coon, C.N. (1993) Managing leghorn pullets for maximum egg mass production. Pages 55–63 in: Proceedings of the Maryland Nutrition Conference for Feed Manufacturers.Google Scholar
Kyarisiima, C.C. and Balnave, D. (1996) Influence of temperature during growth on responses of hens to high or low temperatures during lay. British Poultry Science 37: 553–62.Google Scholar
Leeson, S. and Summers, J.D. (1989) Responses of leghorn pullets to protein and energy in the diet when reared in regular or hot-cyclic environments. Poultry Science 68: 546–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marsden, A., Morris, T.R. and Cromarty, A.S. (1987) Effects of constant environmental temperatures on the performance of laying pullets. British Poultry Science 28: 361–380.Google Scholar
Mills, C.A., Cottingham, E. and Taylor, E. (1947) The influence of environmental temperature on dietary requirement for thiamine, pyridoxine, nicotinic acid, folic acid and choline in chicks. American Journal of Physiology 149: 376–82.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Njoya, J. and Picard, M. (1994) Climatic adaptation of laying hens. Tropical Animal Health and Production 26: 180–86.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Njoku, P.C. and Nwazota, A.O.U. (1989) Effect of dietary inclusion of ascorbic acid and palm oil on the performance of laying hens in a hot tropical environment. British Poultry Science 30: 831–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peguri, A. and Coon, C. (1993) Effect of feather coverage and temperature on layer performance. Poultry Science 72: 1318–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Puthpongsiriporn, U., SchEidelar, S.E., Sell, J.L. and Beck, M.M. (2001) Effects of vitamin E and C supplementation on performance, in vitro lymphocyte proliferation, and antioxidant status of laying hens during heat stress. Poultry Science 80: 1190–1200.Google Scholar
Reid, B.L. (1981) Fat levels in layer feeds. Journal of the American Oil Chemists'Society 62: 306–09.Google Scholar
Romijn, C. and Lokhorst., W. (1961) Climate and poultry. Heat regulation in the fowl. Tijdschrift voor Diergeneeskunde 86: 153–72.Google Scholar
Scott, T.A. and Balnave., D. (1988) Comparison between concentrated complete diets and self-selection for feeding sexually-maturing pullets at hot and cold temperatures. British Poultry Science 29: 613–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scott, T.A. and Balnave., D. (1989) Responses of sexually-maturing pullets to self-selection feeding under different temperature and lighting regimens. British Poultry Science 30: 135–50.Google Scholar
Shannon, D.W.F. and Brown, W.O. (1969) The period of adaptation of the fasting metabolic rate of the common fowl to an increase in environmental temperature from 22 C to 28 C. British Poultry Science 10: 13–18.Google Scholar
Smith, A.J. and Oliver., J. (1971) Some physiological effects of high environmental temperatures on the laying hen. Poultry Science 50: 912–925.Google Scholar
Smith, A.J. and Oliver., J. (1972) Some nutritional problems associated with egg production at high environmental temperatures. 4. The effect of prolonged exposure to high environmental temperatures on the productivity of pullets fed on high-energy diets. Rhodesian Journal of Agricultural Research 10: 43–60.Google Scholar
Timmons, M.B. and Hillman, P.E. (1993) Partitional heat losses in heat stressed poultry as affected by wind speed. Pages 265–270 in: Livestock Environment IV, Proc. Fourth Int'l SymposiumASAE, St. JosephMI.Google Scholar
Usayran, N. and Balnave, D. (1995) Phosphorus requirements of laying hens fed on wheat-based diets. British Poultry Science 36: 285–301.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Usayran, N., Farran, M.T., Awadallah, H.H.O., Al-Hawi, I.R., Asmar, R.J. and AshkArian, V.M. (2001) Effects of added dietary fat and phosphorus on the performance and egg quality of laying hens subjected to a constant high environmental temperature. Poultry Science 80: 1695–1701.Google Scholar
Walsh, T.J. and Brake, J. (1997) The effect of nutrient intake during rearing of broiler breeder females on subsequent fertility. Poultry Science 76: 297–305.Google Scholar
Walsh, T.J. and Brake, J. (1999) Effects of feeding programprogramme and crude protein intake during rearing on fertility of broiler breeder females. Poultry Science 78: 827–832.Google Scholar
Wilson, W.O., Itoh, S. and Siopes, T.D. (1972) Production traits of leghorn pullets in controlled temperatures. Poultry Science 51: 1014–1023.Google Scholar