With temperatures in parts of Nigeria now soaring above 40°C, poultry farmers must adopt urgent measures to manage heat stress or risk devastating losses, warns Professor Khadija Musa Bello of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi.
Speaking at a one-day workshop on poultry and fish production organised by Vital Feed in collaboration with the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP), Professor Bello sounded the alarm over the growing threat climate change poses to animal farming.
She explained that heat stress occurs when ambient temperatures exceed the comfort threshold of poultry birds, leading to reduced feed intake, poor weight gain, lowered egg production, and in extreme cases, death.
“Climate change is real, and poultry farmers can no longer operate as usual,” she said.
Prof. Bello who is the Head of Animal Production Department ATBU, added “We must invest in practical heat management strategies, proper ventilation, water availability, and nutritional adjustments to protect our birds and profits.”
Regional manager of Grand Cereals, Mrs Talatu Mutong, said the workshop was organised to create a platform for stakeholders to learn from each other and share ideas on improving the poultry and fish production business in the state.
She noted that Vital Feed is committed to supporting farmers with quality feed and practical knowledge to achieve profitable results in their businesses.
In his remarks, Malam Ya’u Muhammad, programme manager of BSADP, expressed the agency’s commitment to partner with private and government stakeholders in initiatives that will bring meaningful development to crop and animal production in the state.
He commended the collaboration with Vital Feed, describing it as a step towards addressing challenges facing farmers in Bauchi State.
