Nghe An farmers have a headache finding ways to cool down livestock and poultry.

Mr. Dang Xuan Cuong supplements nutrition, increases herbal food, and increases resistance for chickens. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Chicken farm according to VietGAP standardsMr. Dang Xuan Cuong of Lien Minh hamlet (Thanh Lien commune, Thanh Chuong) raises 10,000 chickens for meat. To ensure disease prevention for chickens, every time the hot season comes, he proactively checks the barns and invests in installing cooling and heat dissipation equipment for the chickens.

In chicken coop systems, farm owners must install ventilation fans and add more pedestal fans to dissipate heat. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Cuong said: “In 2017, because we did not know how to protect chickens from the heat, many chickens died, causing great economic losses. In the following years, during the peak hot season, we did not dare to raise them. This year, before entering the hot season, we invested more than 100 million VND to install ventilation fans, cooling fans and a steam system to reduce the temperature of the coop. At the same time, we reduced the stocking density, increased the types of food that increase the resistance of chickens, especially herbal foods available in the garden such as ginseng, ginger, lemongrass…”. Thanks to that, his 10,000 chickens are healthy, with good weight and quality.

To avoid damage caused by the heat, Mr. Cuong invested 100 million VND to install a steam cooling system for the chicken farm. Photo: Thanh Phuc

In small-scale farming households that do not have the conditions to install cooling systems or misting irrigation systems,Enhance heat resistance for livestock and poultryin many ways: Stretch tarpaulins in the barn to avoid direct sunlight; cover the roof with straw and rice husks to create insulation, install electric fans in the barn; regularly bathe the livestock; clean the barn...

Mr. Nguyen Cong Ly, hamlet 6, Tru Son commune (Do Luong) said: "My family raises 2 buffaloes and 3 pigs. To keep the animals cool, in addition to stretching tarpaulins and covering them with straw, we also pay attention to cleaning the barns. Early in the morning or late in the evening, we let the buffaloes go to the river to cool down their bodies. At the same time, we increase green food for the buffaloes, reduce starchy food and mix molasses into the buffaloes' food."

For small-scale livestock farms, apply measures to prevent heat such as: Covering with tarpaulin, cleaning barns, installing wall-mounted fans to direct the wind outward to dispel the heat. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Letting buffaloes soak in water is also a solution to reduce the temperature for buffaloes. Photo: Thanh Phuc

To protect livestock during the hot season, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Official Dispatch No. 1501/SNN-CNTY dated May 7, 2021 on proactively preventing heat and diseases in livestock in 2021. Accordingly, specific instructions and guidance on how to prevent heat for livestock: Ensure that barns are high, clean, and airy, suitable for each type of livestock; cover with palm leaves, straw, and plant climbing plants on the barn roof to prevent direct heat; on hot days, spray water on the roof, mist in the barn, and arrange enough electric fans to cool down; prepare enough fences, heat-resistant nets, and tarpaulins.

Arrange suitable stocking density for each type of livestock. Stocking density should be reduced, especially for captive livestock and poultry.

Provide adequate food and water for livestock. Absolutely do not let cattle and buffaloes roam from 10am to 4pm on hot days with high temperatures because they can easily catch heatstroke and die suddenly. Fully vaccinate livestock and poultry; closely monitor the condition of livestock, detect sick livestock and poultry to isolate, treat and handle promptly.