Prepare conditions to protect pets during hot weather

According to forecasts, this year the weather will have many unusual developments, the heat will come early and last long with high temperatures that will affect the resistance and development ability of livestock. To minimize losses in production, farmers need to update the weather forecast daily, proactively implement measures to prevent and combat heat to protect livestock.

Farmers in Xuan Giang commune (Tho Xuan) reinforce their barns to ensure coolness during the hot season.

Poultry is an animal that is easily affected by the heat, therefore, farmers in the province have proactively reduced the stocking density and cleaned the barns. In addition, regularly renovating biological bedding from rice husks helps decompose chicken manure, deodorize, keep the barn clean, create a clean, airy environment, fully vaccinate; proactively supplement vitamin C and electrolytes into the diet to help the chickens cool down and increase resistance.

With many years of experience in raising chickens, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Vinh Hung commune (Vinh Loc) shared: "As soon as the weather changed, before re-herding, my family reinforced the barn, used heat-resistant materials to rebuild the roof such as straw, foam, canvas... and used black mesh panels to cover. At the same time, we invested in additional exhaust fans to bring cool air into the entire barn; adjusted the low bedding to reduce heat; adjusted the stocking density, invested in replacing water troughs, and divided the stages of adding drinking water. On extremely hot days, I had to change the time the flock was released to limit exposure to the heat as well as change the feeding time to early morning or cool afternoon."

Before the season change, the agricultural service centers of the districts have issued documents and bulletins directing communes and towns to guide and urge people to implement measures to prevent and combat heat for livestock, especially in districts with strengths in livestock development. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Phuong, Director of the Agricultural Service Center of Trieu Son district, said: "Prolonged hot and sunny weather will reduce the resistance of livestock and create favorable conditions for many dangerous diseases to arise and spread, such as: avian influenza, anthrax, lumpy skin disease in cattle, foot and mouth disease, heatstroke... Therefore, livestock farmers should not be negligent or subjective, but must strictly follow the instructions of veterinary staff on how to prevent livestock and poultry diseases during the hot season, in which, vaccination is considered an important solution, the best way to prevent diseases for livestock". In addition, for pig farming, hot weather causes animals to lose appetite and become tired, especially breeding sows. For large-scale farms, it is necessary to reduce livestock density, spread out the time between litters; invest in generators to avoid power outages and water the barns on hot days up to 40 degrees Celsius. For households raising buffalo and cows, due to their physiological characteristics of being less resistant to heat, when the weather is hot, many diseases will arise, and farming efficiency will be low. People need to apply basic heat-resistant measures such as covering with sunshades, spraying water on the roof, installing a misting fan system; increase the amount of green food, feed in the early morning or cool afternoon, and provide more drinking water. In particular, do not graze cattle during the hot hours of the day and on days with high temperatures.

Poultry farmers in Luan Thanh commune (Thuong Xuan) focus on adding vitamins to poultry diets.

According to the recommendations of the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, on hot days, livestock often have changes in the absorption and metabolism process, and their eating habits change in a negative direction. Therefore, livestock households need to increase their nutritional regimen and supplement minerals and vitamins to improve the resistance of livestock and poultry; cover their barns to prevent livestock and poultry from getting cold when there are thunderstorms, tornadoes and sudden heavy rains. In addition, hot weather is also the time when livestock and poultry are susceptible to disease outbreaks, so livestock farmers need to pay attention to environmental hygiene in and around the barn and grazing areas; vaccinate according to regulations. At the same time, observe and monitor the status and health of livestock. If there are any unusual signs, they need to be separated to a shady place for monitoring, and given electrolytes and sugar to drink. Only when stable can they be reintroduced to the herd. When livestock or poultry are sick or dead, it is necessary to immediately notify local authorities and veterinary staff for timely handling.

Article and photos: Le Ngoc

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chuan-bi-cac-dieu-kien-bao-ve-vat-nuoi-mua-nang-nong-215317.htm