In summer, when temperatures rise above 25°C, hens tend to eat less, which leads to a decrease in nutrient intake and negatively impacts egg production and quality. To counter this, it's essential to adjust the nutrient concentration of the feed. While some experts suggest reducing energy levels by about 0.966 MJ per kg of feed during hot weather, others argue that energy is still crucial for maintaining high egg production rates. When hens consume less due to heat stress, their energy intake may drop, affecting performance. Research shows that adding 1.5% cooked soybean oil to feed during high temperatures can significantly boost egg production. Therefore, it’s advisable to reduce cereal-based feeds like corn to around 50–55% and increase the overall nutrient density to ensure consistent egg output.
Additionally, increasing protein content in the feed is important during the summer. Laying hens require more protein to maintain their egg-laying capacity, so the protein level should be raised by 1–2 percentage points, reaching over 18%. This can be achieved by including higher amounts of protein-rich ingredients such as soybean meal or cottonseed cake, ideally at least 20–25%. However, animal-based proteins like fish meal should be used sparingly to avoid reducing palatability and feed intake.
Feed additives also play a key role in managing heat stress. Adding vitamin C (0.1–0.4%) or ammonium chloride (0.2–0.3%) to drinking water can help hens cope with high temperatures. Bacitracin at 0.04% can support gut health and improve nutrient absorption, while fumaric acid (0.1%) helps reduce heat stress and increase feed intake. Sodium bicarbonate (0.3%) added to feed can enhance heat resistance and reduce egg breakage. However, it's important to use these additives carefully to avoid adverse effects.
Mineral balance is another critical factor. Increasing phosphorus in the diet helps alleviate heat stress, and calcium levels should be raised to 3.8–4% to meet the needs of laying hens. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio should remain around 4:1. If too much calcium is included in the feed, it might affect taste, so providing additional calcium separately allows hens to consume it freely based on their needs.
Seasoning agents like sucrose, aminobenzoic acid, and sodium glutamate can improve feed palatability and stimulate appetite. These safe flavoring agents can be added to enhance feed consumption without compromising quality.
Finally, adjusting feeding times can help. In the cooler parts of the day—early morning and evening—hens are more likely to eat. By increasing feeding frequency and offering feed just before lights out, you can ensure they consume enough to maintain productivity.
By implementing these strategies, poultry farmers can effectively manage the challenges of summer heat and maintain optimal egg production.
Wire thread inserts are helically coiled fastening devices that provide permanent, wear-resistant screw threads that exceed the strength of most parent material; the inserts are designed to protect tapped holes against failures due to stripping, seizing, corrosion, and wear.
Threaded inserts are typically used when the object in which a threaded fastener is being installed is made of a soft material. For hard materials, a screw or bolt can be often driven into the object without the need for a threaded insert. A simple solution is to use a threaded insert.
Wire Thread Insert,Wire Thread Auto Repair Inserts,Metal Wire Thread Insert,Wire Thread Repairing Insert
Shenyang Helisert Technology Co., Ltd , https://www.helisert.com