By Ndumiso Tshuma
Poultry specialists have raised concerns over a growing problem affecting broiler chickens, with reports of sudden deaths occurring on farms without any visible signs of disease.
Many broiler farmers say they are experiencing unexplained losses, leaving them frustrated and searching for answers. In some cases, hatcheries have been unfairly blamed for the fatalities, despite no evidence of underlying health issues in the chicks at the time of delivery.
Dr Enoch Machingauta, a poultry specialist at Econutrivet, said sudden deaths in broilers could be linked to several factors, including overfeeding and extreme weather conditions.
โIn many cases, high temperatures can worsen existing issues in the birds. When combined with high-energy feed, excessive heat can put immense strain on their cardiovascular systems, leading to sudden fatalities without prior symptoms,โ he said.
Dr Machingauta added that diagnosing the exact cause of these deaths can be challenging, as affected birds often show no signs of distress before they die.
โThis has led to misplaced blame on hatcheries, even though the chicks may be perfectly healthy when they arrive,โ he said.
To reduce the risk of sudden deaths, he advised farmers to adjust feeding schedules, providing food in the early morning and late evening when temperatures are lower.
โFeeding during cooler periods significantly reduces stress on the birds and benefits their cardiovascular health,โ he said.
Dr Machingauta also stressed the importance of adequate ventilation to maintain poultry health, ensuring proper airflow to combat heat and improve overall living conditions.
โIn addition, farmers should consider using nutritional supplements such as Endocox or Bedgen 40, which can help strengthen the birdsโ immune systems and improve their resilience against environmental stressors,โ he said.
