Heatwave takes heavy toll on poultry farms in Visakhapatnam
Prolonged heatwave conditions and soaring temperatures have dealt a severe blow to poultry farms across Visakhapatnam district, with broiler farmers reporting bird deaths, stunted growth, and mounting financial losses.
Farmers said relentless heat during both daytime and nighttime has triggered severe heat stress among broiler chickens, pushing mortality rates to between five and 10 per cent in several poultry farms. Despite adopting preventive measures such as supplying vitamin-mixed water and electrolytes, spraying water around sheds, and installing cooling fans, operators said the relief has been minimal.
Poultry farmers noted that while high temperatures are common during May, this year’s heatwave conditions began as early as April, exposing birds to prolonged stress much earlier than usual. They said the absence of intermittent summer showers, which normally provide temporary respite, has further aggravated the situation.
According to farmers, broiler chickens can generally tolerate temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius. However, with daytime temperatures hovering between 38 and 42 degrees Celsius and night temperatures remaining close to 30 degrees Celsius for several days, the birds have struggled to withstand the extreme conditions.
Apart from heat-related deaths, farmers said many birds are consuming less feed and showing poor growth. Broiler chickens that would normally attain a weight of two to two-and-a-half kilograms within 33 to 34 days are now taking 42 to 43 days to reach even two kilograms.
The slowdown in growth has coincided with a decline in chicken meat sales, leading to lower market prices and accumulation of underweight birds at farms.
BAG representative Tatraju Appa Rao said even minor negligence under the prevailing weather conditions could sharply increase bird mortality. He said a poultry farm rearing 10,000 birds was suffering losses of ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 per batch due to the ongoing heatwave.
Mr Appa Rao said farmers were currently receiving around ₹85 per kilogram in the market, while the production cost of raising a two-kilogram broiler chicken was nearly ₹120 per kilogram. Expressing hope that prices may improve next week, he appealed to the government to extend support to poultry farmers affected by the heatwave.