As the days and nights heat up, you may notice your chickens become unsettled as their bodies attempt to overcome temperature fluctuations and avoid overheating – or heat stress. With an ideal ambient temperature range of 18 to 25°, chooks really feel the brunt of summer – especially because of their sensitivity to humidity.
As we pass the shortest day of the year, the increasing light will begin to prime our poultry for the breeding season. The hens will begin to lay more eggs (or start laying again) whilst the cocks will gear up for peak fertility. Preparation for a successful breeding season and healthy chicks begins months in advance. By the end of this article you will know exactly how to get the most from your breeding pens!
Chickens are adaptable creatures and are able to adjust to cold winter months better than most animals. As the environmental temperature decreases, the hen needs to increase her internal body temperature to compensate for the loss of external heat. This task is quite nutrient demanding since a lot of energy is utilised to generate heat.