Protect pets in hot weather

According to forecasts, this year's weather will be highly unpredictable, with early and prolonged heatwaves and high temperatures affecting the resistance and growth of livestock. To minimize losses in production, livestock farmers need to update daily weather forecasts and proactively implement measures to protect their animals from the heat.

Livestock farmers in Xuan Giang commune (Tho Xuan district) are reinforcing their barns to ensure good ventilation during the hot season.

Poultry are particularly vulnerable to the effects of hot weather; therefore, farmers in the province have proactively reduced stocking density and cleaned their poultry houses. In addition, they regularly improve the biological bedding made from rice husks to decompose chicken droppings, deodorize, maintain hygiene, create a clean and well-ventilated environment, and administer full vaccinations. They also proactively supplement the diet with vitamin C and electrolytes to help the chickens cool down and boost their immunity.

With many years of experience in chicken farming, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan from Vinh Hung commune (Vinh Loc district) shared: "As soon as the weather changed, before restocking, my family reinforced the chicken coops, used heat-resistant materials to rebuild the roofs such as straw, styrofoam, and tarpaulin... and used black mesh sheets for shading. At the same time, we invested in more exhaust fans to bring cool air into the entire coop; adjusted the bedding to a lower level to reduce heat; adjusted the stocking density, invested in replacing water troughs, and divided the watering into smaller stages. On intensely hot days, I had to change the time the flock was allowed to roam freely to limit exposure to the heat, as well as change the feeding time to early morning or late afternoon."

Prior to the change of seasons, the agricultural service centers of the districts issued documents and bulletins directing communes and towns to guide and urge people to implement measures to prevent and combat the effects of heat on livestock, especially in districts with strong livestock development potential. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Phuong, Director of the Agricultural Service Center of Trieu Son district, said: "Prolonged hot weather will reduce the resistance of livestock and create favorable conditions for many dangerous diseases to potentially arise and spread, such as avian influenza, hemorrhagic septicemia, lumpy skin disease in cattle and buffaloes, foot-and-mouth disease, heatstroke... Therefore, livestock farmers should not be negligent or complacent, and must strictly follow the guidance of veterinary officers on how to prevent and control livestock and poultry diseases during the hot season. Among these, vaccination is considered an important solution and the best way to prevent disease for livestock." Furthermore, for pig farming, hot weather reduces the animals' appetite and causes fatigue, especially for breeding sows. Large-scale farms should reduce stocking density, extend the time between breeding cycles, invest in generators to avoid power outages, and irrigate barns on days when temperatures reach 40°C. For cattle and buffalo farmers, due to their physiological characteristics and poor tolerance to heat, hot weather can lead to increased disease and lower farming efficiency. Farmers should implement basic heat mitigation measures such as covering with shade, spraying water on roofs, installing misting fans, increasing the amount of green fodder, feeding in the early morning or late afternoon, and providing extra drinking water. Most importantly, cattle should not be grazed during the hottest times of the day or on days with high temperatures.

Poultry farmers in Luận Thành commune (Thường Xuân district) focus on supplementing vitamins in their animals' diets.

According to recommendations from the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, during hot weather, livestock often experience changes in absorption and metabolism, leading to adverse changes in their eating habits. Therefore, livestock farmers need to strengthen their animals' diets and supplement with minerals and vitamins to boost their immunity; protect their barns and shelters from the cold during thunderstorms, strong winds, and sudden heavy rains. In addition, hot weather is also a time when diseases are more likely to occur in livestock and poultry, so farmers need to pay attention to environmental hygiene in and around the barns and grazing areas; and vaccinate according to regulations. Simultaneously, they should observe and monitor the animals' condition and health. If any abnormalities are observed, they should be separated to a shaded area for observation, given electrolyte water and sugar, and only rejoined to the herd when their condition stabilizes. When livestock or poultry fall ill or die, it is necessary to immediately report it to the local authorities and veterinary officers so that timely measures can be taken.

Text and photos: Le Ngoc

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/bao-ve-vat-nuoi-mua-nang-nong-215317.htm