Ghana’s poultry industry in the Greater Accra region has been facing a scorching challenge – rising temperatures. This has led to a significant rise in mysterious bird deaths, leaving farmers bewildered and frustrated. The Livestock Industry Foundation for Africa (LIFA), a beacon of hope, intervened by providing a much-needed training program on heat stress management techniques.
The training addressed the heart of the problem – heat stress. Farmers like Esther Andoh, who manages Dorothy’s Garden of Eden Farm, narrated losing a staggering 50 birds in a single day. Despite consulting veterinary services, the cause remained elusive. Akosua Agyemang, an agricultural extension officer, suspected heat stress might be the culprit on a duck farm she supports. Ducks, lacking sweat glands, are particularly vulnerable to overheating under a relentless sun.
The training program proved to be a turning point. Armiyawu Abdul-Rahim of Ami Farms Ventures, who attended the sessions, found them to be not just informative but life-saving for his cousin’s farm. Previously, he, like many farmers, had assumed diseases were the primary cause of bird loss. The training shed light on the significant role heat stress plays, helping farmers connect the dots between rising temperatures and bird deaths.
Farmers like Esther emerged from the program equipped with practical solutions. She learned the importance of providing cool water for her birds throughout the day. Additionally, she discovered that adjusting feeding schedules, offering high-energy feeds during cooler afternoons, and allowing for better air circulation within the pens could significantly improve the birds’ ability to cope with the heat. Akosua, armed with newfound knowledge, planned to advise farmers on creating shade structures for their ducks, a simple yet impactful measure to prevent further heat-related deaths.
Professor Adebukunola Olufunmilayo Lala of LIFA explained the science behind heat stress. Poultry thrives in a specific temperature range called the thermoneutral zone (18-22°C). When temperatures rise above this zone, birds struggle to maintain a stable body temperature. This struggle creates an energy imbalance, where the birds’ bodies generate more heat than they can dissipate, leading to a state of heat stress.
Heat stress doesn’t just impact bird mortality; it significantly affects their overall well-being and productivity. Professor Lala highlighted the detrimental consequences – reduced growth rate, lower egg production, and compromised meat quality. The training program focused on equipping farmers with a multi-pronged approach to tackle this challenge.
Transitioning to cooling housing systems with proper ventilation was a key recommendation. This could involve installing fans or strategically placed vents to improve air circulation within poultry pens. Additionally, providing readily available cool drinking water through multiple water points is crucial. Professor Lala emphasized the importance of reducing bird density within pens, as overcrowding restricts air circulation and worsens heat stress.
The training program didn’t stop at environmental modifications. It also delved into the role of nutrition in mitigating heat stress. Farmers learned about providing pelletized diets with higher energy content and fat content. Supplementing these diets with essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals further bolsters the birds’ resilience to heat.
In essence, the LIFA training program empowered Ghana’s poultry farmers with the knowledge and tools to create optimal environments for their birds. By implementing these strategies, farmers can not only safeguard the health and well-being of their flocks but also ensure the continued success of their poultry businesses in the face of a rising heat challenge.
