Temperature management of laying hens: the key password for the success or failure of breeding
In egg chicken farming, temperature management is often overlooked, but in reality it is related to the health, production performance, and economic benefits of the chicken flock. Today, we will delve into the mystery of the body temperature of laying hens and how to ensure the health and efficient production of chicken flocks through scientific management.
1、 The normal range of body temperature for laying hens: the key to precise control
As a constant temperature animal, laying hens usually maintain a normal body temperature between 40.5 ℃ and 42 ℃, with an average body temperature of about 41 ℃ (measured anal temperature). This temperature range is the basis for laying hens to maintain normal physiological functions. However, the body temperature of laying hens is not constant, and it fluctuates by 0.5 ℃ to 1 ℃ within a day due to factors such as environmental temperature, activity, and feeding.
This temperature fluctuation is a normal manifestation of physiological regulation in laying hens, but if it exceeds the normal range, it may indicate health problems. For example, when the body temperature of laying hens continues to exceed 43 ℃, it may cause organ damage, decrease egg production rate, and even lead to death. Therefore, understanding the normal temperature range of laying hens and monitoring its changes in real time is an important link that cannot be ignored in the breeding process.
2、 The Mechanism of Temperature Regulation in Egg Chickens: The Science Behind Constant Temperature
Chickens are able to maintain a relatively stable body temperature mainly due to their complex thermoregulatory mechanisms. This mechanism includes two aspects: heat generation and heat dissipation:
（1） Heat generation mechanism
The basal metabolism of laying hens is their main source of heat production, especially the metabolic activity of the liver and muscles. In addition, the digestion process of feed after consumption also generates heat, a phenomenon known as the "food heat effect". In cold environments, laying hens maintain body temperature stability by increasing their basal metabolic rate, which is also the key to their ability to survive in low-temperature environments.
（2） Heat dissipation mechanism
Heat dissipation is another important link in regulating the body temperature of laying hens, mainly including the following methods:
1. Respiratory evaporation: When the ambient temperature is too high, laying hens will evaporate water by increasing their breathing rate (wheezing), thereby taking away heat. This heat dissipation method is particularly important in high-temperature environments, but excessive wheezing can also lead to acid-base imbalance in laying hens, so it is necessary to control the ambient temperature reasonably.
2. Behavioral regulation: Egg laying hens also regulate their body temperature through behavior. For example, when the ambient temperature is too high, they will seek shade, spread their wings, or reduce activity to lower their body temperature; In cold environments, laying hens tend to flock together for warmth.
3. Blood circulation regulation: Egg laying hens increase heat dissipation by dilating skin blood vessels. In high temperature environments, vasodilation can allow more heat to be dissipated through the skin; In cold environments, blood vessels contract to reduce heat loss.
3、 Factors affecting the body temperature of laying hens: potential risks in breeding
The stability of the body temperature of laying hens is influenced by various factors, which require special attention during the breeding process
（1） Environmental temperature
The environmental temperature is the primary factor affecting the body temperature of laying hens. When the temperature exceeds 30 ℃, laying hens are prone to heat stress and their body temperature may briefly rise. Heat stress not only causes an increase in the body temperature of laying hens, but also triggers a series of physiological and production performance problems, such as decreased feed intake, decreased egg production rate, and poorer egg quality. Therefore, controlling the temperature of the chicken coop within an appropriate range (18 ℃~25 ℃) is the key to breeding management.
（2） Egg laying stage
Egg laying hens have a high metabolism during the egg laying period, and their body temperature may be slightly higher than during the rest period. This is because the egg laying process requires a large amount of energy consumption and also generates additional calories. Therefore, during the peak period of egg production, breeders need to pay special attention to the temperature changes of the chicken flock and take corresponding cooling measures.
（3） Health condition
Disease is an important factor affecting the body temperature of laying hens. For example, infectious diseases such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease can cause laying hens to experience fever, with body temperatures possibly exceeding 43 ℃ or even higher. This abnormal body temperature not only damages the health of laying hens, but may also lead to death. Therefore, regular monitoring of the health status of the chicken flock, timely detection and treatment of diseases, is an important guarantee for maintaining stable body temperature of laying hens.
（4） Feed and drinking water
Feed and water are also important factors affecting the body temperature of laying hens. Lack of water can cause the body temperature of laying hens to rise, as water is the key to regulating body temperature. In addition, the intake of high-energy feed may increase the metabolic heat production of laying hens, leading to an increase in body temperature. Therefore, the reasonable combination of feed and ensuring sufficient and clean drinking water supply are essential links in aquaculture management that cannot be ignored.
4、 The harm of abnormal body temperature: the "invisible killer" in aquaculture
Abnormal body temperature of laying hens may lead to a series of serious consequences, which not only affect the health of the flock, but also result in decreased production performance and even economic losses.
（1） High temperature hazards
When the body temperature of laying hens continues to exceed 43 ℃, it can cause organ damage, especially to important organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. High temperatures can also lead to a decrease in feed intake, lower egg production rates, and poorer egg quality for laying hens. More seriously, high temperature stress may lead to the death of laying hens, especially in environments with high temperature and humidity.
（2） Low temperature risk
The threat of low temperature to laying hens cannot be ignored. Chickens are prone to hypothermia in cold environments, which can affect their growth, development, and immunity. Adult laying hens may flock together for warmth in low temperature environments, leading to local crowding and increasing the risk of disease transmission. Therefore, winter warmth measures are equally important.
5、 Livestock management suggestion: scientifically addressing temperature issues
In order to ensure the stability of the body temperature of laying hens, breeders need to take a series of scientific management measures:
（1） Environmental control
The temperature in the chicken coop is a key factor affecting the body temperature of laying hens. It is recommended to maintain the temperature of the chicken coop between 18 ℃ and 25 ℃ to avoid extreme temperatures. During high temperatures in summer, the temperature in the chicken coop can be reduced by increasing ventilation, installing water curtains, and providing cool drinking water; When it is cold in winter, it is necessary to strengthen insulation measures, such as installing insulation boards and using warm air heaters.
（2） Health monitoring
Regularly observing the behavior and temperature changes of the chicken flock is an important means of detecting abnormal body temperature. For example, behaviors such as wheezing, crowding, and loss of appetite in laying hens may be signals of abnormal body temperature. Once abnormalities are detected, timely temperature measurement should be taken and corresponding measures should be taken.
（3） Emergency measures
In extreme weather conditions of high or low temperatures, breeders need to take emergency measures to protect the health of laying hens. During high temperatures, in addition to increasing ventilation and providing cool drinking water, electrolytes and vitamins can also be added to feed to alleviate the effects of heat stress; At low temperatures, it is necessary to strengthen insulation measures to ensure that the chicken flock can safely survive the cold weather.
6、 Summary: Temperature management, guarantee of breeding benefits
The body temperature of laying hens is an important indicator of their health and production performance, and reasonable environmental management and disease prevention are key to maintaining stable body temperature. By accurately controlling the normal body temperature range of laying hens, understanding their temperature regulation mechanisms, paying attention to influencing factors, and adopting scientific management measures, breeders can effectively avoid the harm caused by abnormal body temperature, ensuring the health and efficient production of the chicken flock. In the breeding of laying hens, temperature management should not be ignored. It is the key password for successful breeding and an important guarantee for achieving economic benefits.
Scientific management is the cornerstone of the road to egg chicken farming, and temperature management is the key. I hope every breeder can pay attention to this aspect, so that the chicken flock can grow vigorously in a healthy and comfortable environment, and achieve the maximization of breeding benefits.
