Effect of Temperature on ISA Brown Laying Hens in a hot humid

environment, Ile-Oluji, Nigeria

By
Balogun Ahmed Adedoyin1, Akinlosoye Jide Johnson2, Uzohuo Ugochukwu2, Balogun
Ganiyu Adeniyi4, Agbona Ademola Isaac2, Folorunsho Rasheed Olayode, Oyeneyin
Olawale Olalekan

1 .Federal University of Technology, Akure, Dept of Meteorology & Climate

Science, Akure, Nigeria
2. Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo
State, Nigeria
3. Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
4. Biospheric Scientific (Nig) Limited, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
 Introduction
This study investigates the effect of temperature induced heat stress on egg production and
core body temperature of the ISA brown layer hens housed in open sided naturally ventilated
poultry house at the livestock research farm of the Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo state,
Nigeria.

The data presented covers an eight and a half month period from 15 March to 30 November
2019.
 Materials & Methods
Hen day production, egg weight and rectal temperature of the birds were monitored using
clinical thermometer.
Also air temperature and relative humidity were monitored at three (3) levels (0.25m, 1m and
2.00m) inside the poultry house using a Tinytag TGP-4500 temperature and humidity sensor
and logger.
The prevailing climate conditions outside the poultry house was monitored with a Trans-
African Hydro-Meteorological Observatory (TAHMO) Atmos 41 All in One automatic weather
station. Data analysis to determine the relationships was performed using basic descriptive
statistics in Microsoft Excel.
 Results
The results showed that indoor temperatures inside the poultry house and
outdoor temperatures are very closely related with a strong linear correlation (R²
= 0.983). Temperatures vary from 22 – 33 and 20 – 34 inside and outside the
poultry house respectively. However temperatures are consistently 2 – 3
warmer inside the poultry house at night.
 Results2
• Results also show that hen day production decrease with increasing core body temperature
in an exponential manner, but linearly with ambient temperatures,
• similarly egg weight decreased in a linear manner. It was also observed that the birds rectal
temperatures increased with rising ambient temperature in a linear manner for heavy birds
(1.75 – 2.00 kg) and exponential manner for light birds (< 1.75 kg).
• Observation also show that heat stress and the struggle for thermoregulation sets in at 24
for heavy birds, but starts at 27 for light birds.
• Results also show that hen day production decrease with increasing
ambient temperature in an exponential manner, similarly egg weight
decreased in a linear manner. It was also observed that the birds
rectal temperatures increased with rising ambient temperature in a
linear manner for heavy birds (1.75 – 2.00 kg) and exponential
manner for light birds (< 1.75 kg). Observation also show that heat
stress and the struggle for thermoregulation sets in at 24 for heavy
birds, but starts at 27 for light birds.
 Results 3
• It was also observed that the hen day production efficiency over the 8 months of study
peaked at 90% at week 25 but has gradually dropped to 70% at week 55 now.

• The optimum environmental temperature requirement for laying hens is 18 – 24 .

However observation shows that this flock is exposed to ambient temperatures between
27 – 33 daily for more than 12 hours.

• This consistent exposure to excessive high temperatures may have contributed to the
significant drop in production efficiency as well as egg quality.

• Heat stress affect poultry adversely, and if they don’t die, it is the farmer’s profit that
suffers. It is estimated that this farm loses about 1.5 crates of egg daily due to heat
stress. At N 800/crate, that is N 438000.00 annually in losses!.
 Conclusion
• It is now a matter of importance particularly in this changing climate for
Poultry farmers to appreciate the adverse effects of heat stress on their
flock’s productivity and invest in environmental management strategies
that ameliorates heat stress.
Thank You!