Veterinary Products | Anigane
Heat Stress and Poultry Well-being
The normal body temperature of a bird is 41 °C (106°F). A bird is most comfortable and grows faster in temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50-68°F) measured inside the poultry house, at bird level.
Any activity, e.g. eating, increases heat production. A heavier bird produces more body heat and a 5-6-7 week old broiler is most susceptible to heat stress. The real danger is when the temperature is greater than 30°C (86°F). If the deep body temperature of the bird reaches 47 °C (117°F), it dies - from heart failure.
The ideal temperature for layers and breeders is 20-25°C (68-77°F). As they have more time to acclimatise to high temperatures and humidity some tolerance does occur but they still suffer from heat stress. However, layers cannot adjust to rapid and severe heat changes and egg production drops.
Once the environmental temperature reaches 24°C the importance of loss of body heat by increased evaporative cooling from the lungs is just as important as in broiler chickens.
The first reaction of hens to high environmental temperatures is a marked reduction in feed intake - by 15% for a rise of 10°C. Usually the period of maximum heat stress is from about midday to 6pm and feed should be withheld for two hours during the afternoon.
- Reduced growth,
- Smaller eggs,
- Weaker eggshells,
- and depressed reproductive performance,
Are inevitable consequences of heat stress and management programmes to offset these losses should be developed.
Signs of Heat Stress
- Gasping, panting, wings outstretched.
- Stupor, staggers and terminal convulsions.
- Slowness and lethargy.
- Increased cannibalism, more carcass downgrades.
- Light body weight, poor colouring and rough skin.
- Egg production drop for no apparent reason.
- Reduced egg size, poorer eggshell quality.
- In Breeders, reduced fertility, due to less mating, poorer semen quality and female infertility.
- Increased mortality.
Anigane - Your Questions Answered
Is Anigane a growth promoter?
- Yes. It also improves feed conversion. In controlled experiments Anigane produced gains of up to 10% compared with untreated birds. In practical situations gains at 47 days over untreated birds range from 80g to 160g per bird.
Is Anigane a vitamin supplement?
- No. Anigane does not replace soluble vitamin supplements though it does contain some vitamin and trace mineral metabolites. Use of Anigane will not affect normal water medication with vitamins.
How does Anigane work?
- By improving appetite and feed conversion. Birds stay alert and continue to eat, even at times when appetite and feed consumption normally drop. By reducing the peaks and troughs of feed consumption over the growing period, heavier birds with better feed conversion result.
Is there any resistance build-up after the continued use of Anigane?
- No. Broilers have been medicated with many times the recommended dosage with no ill effects. However, it has been demonstrated that results do not improve when the recommended level is exceeded.
Is Anigane compatible with other drinking water medications?
- Anigane may be used in conjunction with Tylosin, Tetracyclines, Chloramphenicol, Erythromycin, Penicillin, Vitamins and all other normal Poultry medications, with the exception of Iodine derivatives (sometimes used as water sanitising agents). Water sterilization with Iodophor-type products should be avoided if Anigane is being used.
What improvements or changes will be seen in the birds?
- Birds settle more easily and are more active, alert and chirpy. They will be at the feed more often and will have a better "bloom". Many farms report lower mortalities and less need for medications.
Is Anigane toxic?
- No. Broilers have been medicated with many times the recommended dosage with no ill effects. However, it has been demonstrated that results do not improve when the recommended dose is exceeded.
Do I use Anigane when I am vaccinating?
- No. It is better to introduce vaccine into a small and consistent volume of drinking water, complete the vaccination, then refill the tank with fresh water and reconnect the Anigane metering equipment.
Will Anigane help sick birds?
- Yes. By stimulating appetite. However, Anigane does not replace antibiotics and other drugs recommended for treatment of disease.
Should the dose rate be increased on hot days?
- No. In fact, when the environmental temperature exceeds 25°C the dose rate should be decreased to 1 mL in 3,000 mL of drinking water.
Does Anigane block water lines and stain drinkers?
- No. However, water pollution with algae, fungi, yeasts and moulds sometimes block lines and stain filters the same colour as Anigane. Such equipment should be sterilized with chlorine disinfectants.
Does Anigane leave residues in processed birds?
Is Anigane compatible with Coccidiostats?
- Yes, whether they are given in the feed or drinking water.
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