Published on June 12, 2018
Measures to prevent heat stress: Checklist
Heat stress can pose a serious challenge to growers around the world. It is important to ready your equipment before the high heat season arrives and to ensure your staff is trained on what to do during extreme heat to ensure excellent care and comfort for your flock. Below you will find key checkpoints to run through before and during the summer season.
Preparation for the summer period
- Evaluate long term weather information
- Check functionality of your summer ventilation and cooling equipment. Repair if necessary
- Check the positioning, connection and direction of rotation for all additional fans. Ensure they function with consistency and in the correct direction
- Ensure all fan belts are tight and running properly
- Ensure you have an emergency generator in case of power shortage
- Test your emergency generator under load
- Check alarm system and the notification chain to ensure the applicable team members are notified in an emergency
- Train staff and review the required technology to use during heat spells
What to do during extreme heat
- Monitor weather forecasts daily
- Walk the barn multiple times each day to monitor the environment and animal behaviour
- Check the alarm system & emergency generator daily
- Adjust computer settings and auxiliary thermostats as necessary
- Check air inlet openings and fan lauffers. Clean as necessary.
- Adjust functioning fans and cooling systems as necessary
- Monitor water supply (pumps, drinkers and water levels) to identify issues
- Consider the addition of vitamin C or electrolytes in the water
- Consider restricted feeding during periods of high heat and supplement with a midnight snack
- Where possible, consider giving more space per bird
- Coordinate loading times to avoid peak heat points in a day (e.g. load out at night or during early morning hours)
Additional Information:
To learn more check out our webinars such as the one on Minimizing the Effects of Heat Stress
or visit our resources website at
