Heat Stress. How can I support my birds?
One of the main effects of heat stress is the reduction of feed consumption which results in poorer growth and reduced egg production and egg quality. In addition to managerial interventions to control temperatures inside the sheds, there are a number of products that can be used to optimise productivity at this time of the year. Products vary in quality and composition. Our Agricure range is priced competitively and has been carefully formulated by poultry vets and poultry nutritionists to help during periods of heat stress. Demand for these products is high at this time of the year and therefore we advise that orders are placed as soon as possible to secure stock.
We recommend:
- Chick gel – To hydrate the chicks on arrival to the farm. This gel also has a probiotic incorporated which gives the birds the best possible start.
- Electrovits and Hydrovits – recommended use 48 hours prior to catching to help to maintain weight.
- Immunoplus – recommended use 48 hours before and 48 hours after vaccination to help with energy recovery following the immune response to vaccines.
- Enteroguard – To improve intestinal health and reduce the risk of coccidiosis in times of sub-optimal feed consumption.
Remember to sanitise your water lines as bacteria grow faster at higher temperatures. Through our sister company, AgriCure Farm Supplies, we now stock and sell a wide range of products to clean the water lines, from hydrogen peroxide products to organic acids. Please contact Maurice at [email protected]. If you would like to test the quality of your water, we can supply water sampling as well as pre-paid envelopes to return the samples to the lab. If you need a test kit please email [email protected] or ring 01347 820366. If you would like to discuss the options for your farm, please contact our friendly team of poultry vets who will be delighted to help.
IB vaccination during the summer months
Infectious bronchitis remains a challenge during the summer months especially as the birds can suffer from other stresses, such as heat stress. In order to minimise the risk of infection, we recommend continuing with your IB vaccinations and, if necessary, supporting the immune system with Agricure Immunoplus 24 hours pre and 24 hours post-vaccination. The use of electrolytes for 24-48 hours prior to predicted high temperatures will help to keep the birds hydrated, thus reducing stress and the immunosuppression associated with heat stress.
Important: Applications for animal health and welfare equipment and technology grants will close at midday on the 15th of June.
Grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 towards the cost of items that improve the health and welfare of livestock are currently available through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, as part of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. You do not need to be eligible for BPS to apply. Each application must be for a minimum grant of £1000. To meet this, you can apply for multiple items as part of your application. All applications for this round must be submitted by midday on the 15th of June 2023, so if you are interested then you should act now. If you are considering making an application or would like to learn more, all of the information that you need can be found on the government website ** https://www.gov.uk)/]https://www.gov.uk
** Please note at the moment the government grant scheme is only for England and doesn’t apply to Wales or Scotland
Summer OFFER—Agricure Probio
Agricure PROBIO is one of our best-selling products as an alternative to antibiotics. It differs from other probiotics on the market as our probiotic contains 2 strains of bacteria (enterococcus faecium) and essential oils amongst other ingredients. We have seen the best results when it is administered at one day old or following antibiotic treatment so that the likelihood of further antibiotic treatment is reduced. This product is also recommended as an intervention on farms where salmonella has been diagnosed in the past as it helps to prevent re-infection by colonising the gut with “good bacteria”, making it more difficult for salmonella to colonise the gut.
Agricure PROBIO is used at strategic times in broilers and turkeys to reduce the risk of enteritis as part of a gut health programme. Please discuss with your vet how this can be best applied to your particular farm.
Special offer price £75 + VAT per 1 kg, available while stocks last.
Please note that this product is short-dated and cannot be returned. Stocks at this price are limited. Therefore, to avoid disappointment, please order by calling the Sheriff Hutton practice on 01347 820366
Advertise with us for free
Do you have a vacancy? Or want to sell equipment? Are you struggling to recruit? In Spring 2022, we launched the new PHS ‘Classifieds’ section – an online space for advertising jobs, equipment, services, and more for the poultry and gamebird industry in the UK. Please contact your local PHS branch for more information or to send us your advert. This service is available for free to PHS clients and for a small fee to non-clients.
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