Effect of Environmental Temperature and Impact of Management Practices on Egg Production in Selected Areas Layer Farms of Bangladesh

Abstract

This study analyses the effects of heat stress on the layer chickens’ egg production losses and looks at the measures that can be taken to prevent it in different unions of Sonagazi upazila, within Feni district of Bangladesh. Specifically, through a simple random sampling, 18 layer farms from various unions across the region were chosen for this study. Recent heatwaves mean that farms have reached reduced amounts of egg laying but farms that have installed some kind of prevention measures like fans, water sprinkling, or insulating the sheds are different with more positive outcomes. Study shows there is an inverse relationship between temperature and egg production, such that a one-degree celsius increases of temperature reduced the egg production by 0.22913 units. However, the following measures were taken by the farm owner, still they felt more discouraged to rear layer due to such a frequent occurrence and drastic changes in the layer production in summer seasons. If the problems can be removed, proper guideline for prevention of heat stress in layer is provided, thus, application of current managerial tactics have influenced the heat stress such as, the regression co-efficient values for average time of spraying (0.27000), presence of insulator material (1.02922), fans per 1000 sq. feet (0.38329), and the use of Vitamin C, electrolytes, and other supplements (0.65743). These coefficients suggest that the presence of insulator material and the use of supplements have the most significant impact on system performance, followed by fans per area and the average spraying time can reduce the negative impact of heat on layer’s performance and production of quality eggs which in turn may lead to people being motivated to establish layer farms on large scale throughout the year. The current baseline inspection indicates an accurate snapshot of the improper heat stress management practices prevalent in the layer chicken farms of Sonagazi Upazila. So the recommendations of this report will be helpful for designing/creating a suitable plan to prevent heat stress in layer chicken farms in Bangladesh.