Monsoon Challenges and Disease Management in Poultry

In tropical monsoon regions, like India, seasonal changes are a major non-genetic factor influencing poultry production. The rainy season usually causes an increase in humidity and a drop in temperature. Rainfall impacts both the quality and amount of feed, while wind speed can affect disease outbreaks. The chicken industry often faces more difficulties due to disease outbreaks during the monsoon, as it creates ideal conditions for diseases to grow and spread among flocks. As a result, most poultry farmers see high rates of mortality and morbidity during this time.

Challenges Due to Diseases During the Rainy Season:

Mycotoxicoses:

It results from the consumption or exposure to mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of certain filamentous fungi (primarily of the species of the Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium genera) found in grains, cereals, and forages that can cause serious health problems in animals, especially chickens.

Coccidiosis:

A protozoan parasite, Eimeria spp., in poultry causes coccidiosis. The disease is characterized by parasite replication in host cells with extensive damage to the intestinal mucosa. Indian poultry is mainly affected by coccidia in the monsoon season, followed by winter and summer.

Gut-related diseases:

The high levels of dampness and humidity provide the perfect environment for diseases to spread across chicken flocks. In poultry, diarrhoea can be caused by various factors, including bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, dietary imbalances, and environmental stressors.

 Respiratory diseases:

The pathogenic illness impairs the hens’ respiratory system, leading to respiratory discomfort, low growth rates, and decreased egg production. In humid environments, the pathogens can proliferate and spread quickly.

Immunosuppression:

Immunosuppression refers to a condition in which the body’s immune system becomes weakened or suppressed, making it more susceptible to infections, diseases, and other health problems. Immunosuppression in poultry can be caused by a variety of factors, including infectious activity (viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi), environmental stress, malnutrition, and poor management.

However, the extent of disease occurrence, morbidity, and mortality during this season is mainly dependent on the type of management practices and the vaccination status of the flock. 

Management Strategies to Overcome Rainy Season Challenges:

Housing management: A well-maintained shed helps minimize the climatic stress and health challenges in birds. Before the ensuing monsoon, the roof of the house and walls should be duly inspected, and any kind of holes or leakages anywhere should be properly repaired. The side walls of the empty shed should be completely covered with polythene curtains. Curtains should be in good condition and can easily be regulated depending on the ammonia concentration in the shed or the rain intensity.

Litter management: The litter thickness should be around 3 inches. Store at least 20% more litter material in a dry place to replace the wet litter material when required. There should not be any seepage from the floor wetting the litter. Wet and caked litter leads to high built-up ammonia in the poultry house. The litter should also be kept dry and changed once it gets wet, as wet litter boosts microbial growth, which can lead to a potential outbreak of diseases.

Feed management: Do not store feed for long in the monsoon. The shelf life of feed is shorter due to high humidity conditions in the monsoon. If the feed is coming from a faraway place, make sure that the transport vehicle is completely closed and there is no water leakage inside the vehicle. 4-5 days' extra feedstock should be kept on the farm to avoid frequent transportation on rainy days.

Water management: Drinking water from the ground leads to pathogenic and parasitic infections, such as intestinal roundworms, which are a common problem in chickens. In order to address this problem, dewormers should be given every three months, with strict adherence to label directions and professional advice.

Light management: During the rainy season, reduced natural light due to cloudy weather can affect poultry growth and egg production. Hence, artificial lighting should be used to ensure birds receive 14–16 hours of consistent light daily. Proper light intensity with uniform light distribution helps reduce stress, support feed intake, and productivity in poultry.

Product-Based Solutions for Specific Disease Conditions

·Mycotoxicoses:

VINSORB-BIO is a unique combination of high-grade mycotoxin adsorbents and mould inhibitors, as well as antifungal elements, along with lipotropic agents, which makes VINSORB-BIO a very effective mycotoxin binder.

·Coccidiosis:

BIOCOCCIN is a phytogenic coccidiostat that helps to control coccidiosis in poultry.

·Gut-Related Diseases:

DIARRELIF is the mixture of appropriately selected herbs and their blends, which positively reduces diarrhoea in poultry.

·Respiratory Diseases:

MUCOFORT is a natural tonic that ensures the rapid recovery of respiratory issues in poultry.

·Immunosuppression:

NUCLEOVIN is a potential immunomodulator that contains nucleotides, vitamin C, and probiotics that can activate immune system responses.

To know more about the above-mentioned products, visit our website at Vinayak Ingredients (India) Pvt Ltd

*References on request