The drought hitting Negros Occidental is causing chickens to lay smaller eggs, Dr. Placeda Lemana, provincial veterinarian, said on Wednesday, April 17.
The drought currently hitting Negros Occidental is expected to last until May, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.
Lemana said egg production has not dropped in Negros Occidental but their seizes are much smaller.
“You will not see any jumbo eggs in the market now,” Lemana said.
The reason is the chickens are opting to drink more water than eat feeds because of the heat, she said.
That means their nutrients are not enough to produce larger sized eggs, Lemana said.
The growth of broilers have also slowed, chickens are smaller because the heat is causing them to eat less, she said.
Growers are advised to reduce the number of chickens per cage for better ventilation, Lemana said.
Ruminants who feed on grass have also been affected with grass drying up, she said.
“Our advice to farmers is to give their animals water with sugar or molasses for more energy”, Lemana said.
Except for stunted growth, they have not received reports of farm animals succumbing to heat strokes, she said.
Lemana also reminded the public to keep their pets hydrated and in cool places.*