The country has been experiencing a severe heat wave since the beginning of April, impacting human beings and animals alike.
Farmers from across the country have reported an increased number of deaths of broiler chickens and cattle due to the scorching heat. They also said that production of milk and eggs has gone down alongside loss of weight of the animals.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing heat wave across the country, chickens are dying from heat stroke in farms. Also, the production of eggs has started to decrease. Faced with huge losses, the marginal farmers are disoriented.
Farmers claim that chickens worth more than Tk 200 crore have died in the last 15 days alone. If this situation continues, there may be a crisis in the supply of broiler chickens and eggs in June-July. The supply of layers and Sonali chickens will also be at stake . And this crisis can take a terrible form in August-September. Farmers have demanded to provide low interest loans as well as subsidies to farmers to get out of this situation.
Farmers say roof of most of the countrys farm houses are made of tin. It absorbs more heat from the sun. As the chicken need more heat, the temperature in the broiler chicken shed is kept under control by running enough fans. When temperature is high, the heat is kept under control by sprinkling water by pump. But in the ongoing heat wave conditions, none of this measures are effective.
As a result, chickens are sweltering in the heat as the temperature is not controlled. They are dying one by one. Especially since the beginning of Boishakh, the condition of poultry sheds has started to deteriorate.
Farmer Mohsin Ali of Biral Upazila of Dinajpur has 25 broiler chicken farms. A few chickens are dying every day in every farm.
He said, "Our chickens are dying due to heat stroke. We are losing a lot of money. Spending on extra food, even after watering four to five times a day, we are unable to save our brood of chicken. If this continues, we will go broke."
On Tuesday, Bangladesh Poultry Association said one million broiler, layer and Sonali chickens perished in 15-16 days after the Eid-ul-Fitr. Of them, 80 per cent were broiler chickens.
According to Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA), which has more than 55,000 members, in the last few days some 2,000 cows died due to extreme weather, load shedding and black quarter, a bacterial disease. More than 1,000 cows had abortion in the sixth and seventh month. Keeping upcoming Eid-ul-Azha in mind, farmers across the country arranged about 1.20 crore cows.
But, in the last 15 days, 99 per cent of the cows and buffaloes have lost weight from 30 to 70 kilogram depending on size.
Every cow is now producing 20-25 per cent less milk.
"We will have to think about durable farm management. We have to rear those animals that are suitable for our weather," said Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA) President Imran Hossain.
"It will be very difficult for the farmers to overcome such a loss in the lead up to Eid-ul-Azha. Modern farmers are somewhat prepared, but most of the marginal farmers do not even know what to do under such circumstances," he said.
Sohail Rana, a livestock medicine seller of Bital Upazila in Dinajpur village, said, "Chickens are dying the most in this intense heat. They are suffering from heat stroke. Farmers or those who keep chickens locally, come and take medicine. But if the temperature does not drop, it is difficult to save the chicken with medicine. The same is the case with cows and goats. But so far no cow or goat has died in the area."
Chicken deaths have also been reported from farmers in other parts of the country. They feel helpless knowing that the death of chickens cannot be prevented unless the heat wave is stopped.
Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) President Suman Howladar said, "On average 20 to 30 per cent of chickens are dying due to heat stroke in various farms across the country due to the ongoing heat wave. Our calculation says that on an average one lakh chickens are dying every day. The estimated market value of the number of chickens that have died in the last 10 days across the country will be around Tk 200 crore."
In this situation, egg and chicken production has decreased from 6 to 10 per cent, said the leader of the poultry association. In his opinion, if this situation continues, there may be a crisis in the supply of broiler chickens and eggs in June, which will become dire in August-September.
Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) Secretary General Khandokar Mohsin said the same thing and said, "Many chickens in the farm are dying due to extreme heat. Eggs are spoiling. Farmers are facing losses due to this. Because eggs cannot be stored in extreme heat. As a result, farmers are forced to sell eggs and chicken at low prices. As a result, they suffered losses. It is difficult to overcome this loss."
Dr Md Reajul Huq, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services said that the farmers are going through this ongoing crisis.
He said, "Due to the ongoing heat wave, farmers across the country are in some trouble. We are aware of this and are giving various suggestions as to what to do. The people of the Department of Livestock Services is constantly in touch with the farmers of the country and are providing various assistance.
He said, "Eggs are getting spoiled in heat, chickens are dying. In this situation, the farmers have also raised the demand of setting up egg storage with subsidies." When asked whether the government is thinking about this or not, he replied, "If egg storage is established, there is a danger of increasing the price of eggs by stockpiling them. This may destabilize the market. We have to think about this decision. But the government is keeping an eye on the farmers. Everything will be done as required. "
Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University director professor Dr AKM Saifuddin said, "The farm chickens can withstand temperatures up to 107 degrees Fahrenheit. If more than this, they start to weaken. Eventually dies. So enough ceiling fans should be installed in the farm, stand fans should be kept. Cold spray should be done. Good ventilation should be maintained in the farm. Bedding should be thinned. Saline, lemon juice should be fed. Antibiotics cannot be given in any way."
