Soaring mercury levels and intense heatwave conditions has created panic among poultry farmers in the State with many birds dying due to the heat.

Poultry farmers reported that many places in NTR, Eluru, West Godavari, Krishna and other districts witnessed the death of chickens in the last few days. Following this, veterinary assistant surgeons and assistant directors of the Animal Husbandry Department visited villages and educated farmers on ways to protect the birds.

Due to the severe heatwaves and high humidity levels in poultries, the deaths have been occurring, said the veterinary doctors. Farmers are advised to maintain water in tubs, supply fresh water and protein feed to the chickens, and sprinkle cool water in and around the poultries to prevent mortality, the Animal Husbandry officials said.

“Around one crore birds are raised in 243 poultries near Tanuku, Tadepalligudem, Eluru, Jangareddigudem and other areas in Eluru district. We are visiting the poultries and creating awareness among the farmers on heat management,” said Eluru district Animal Husbandry Joint Director (JD-AH) Dr. N. Damodar Rao.

“Chicken deaths normally occur during the summer, however, this year the mortality rate has been higher as the temperature recorded has exceeded 45 degrees Celsius. We arranged water coolers and sprinklers around our poultry farm,” said Nageswara Rao, a farmer from West Godavari district, on Tuesday.

“Farmers should ensure free air movement, decrease humidity and heat in poultries and change the feed given to the birds,” said NTR district Animal Husbandry Joint Director Dr. M. Hanumantha Rao.

“The mortality rate will be 8-10% during the summer every year in poultries and during transportation. However, it also depends on the heat and heatwave measures adopted by the farmers. This year the chicken mortality has been more than 15%. We are taking measures to decrease the deaths and prevent losses,” said Eshwar, a poultry farmer from NTR district.

Krishna district Collector D.K. Balaji, who reviewed the situation, directed the assistant directors and veterinary surgeons to advise the farmers to cover the roofs of their poultry farms with paddy straws and hay and supply feed containing B- Complex vitamins.

“Many poultries are located near Challapalli area in Krishna district. More than 50 lakh birds are being raised in 56 poultry farms, said Krishna district Animal Husbandry Joint Director Dr. N. Chinna Narasimhulu.

“Due to the heatwaves, growth in chicken has decreased, and there has been a drop in egg production, said Somubabu, a farmer-trader from Krishna district.

Meanwhile, veterinary officials appealed to the farmers to follow scientific methods to dispose the dead birds.