The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) has advised poultry growers in Negros Occidental to reduce loading capacity amid the heat that could result to mortality among the chicken population.

Dr. Renante Decena, head of the PVO, said that as of the last week of April, monthly broiler production suffered five to seven percent mortality rate.

He pointed out that in normal weather, the allowable mortality rate is only three to five percent.

In Negros Occidental, average monthly broiler production is about 3.6 million heads.

Since school is on summer break, there is decrease in demand in urban centers thus, conventional farms are not loaded, Decena said.

Based on heat conversion ratio, poultry growers are expected to incur losses due to stunted growth. The intense heat could result in 10 to 20 percent stunted growth among conventional structures made of bamboo and nipa.

Decena said the PVO has advised conventional farms to reduce their loading capacity by 10 to 20 percent.
Animals should be provided adequate housing and proper care, with additional water every three hours with vitamin electrolytes, he added.

The Association of Broilers Integrators in Negros Occidental has 117 contract grower-members, but only 15 of them have tunnel ventilated or controlled temperature.

Tunnel ventilated farms with automatic feeder and waterer are not affected by warmer weather. (PNA)