The Hot Seat: Strategies to Safeguard Egg Production in a Warming World

The ominous reality of rising global temperatures, underscored by recent heatwaves in Asia, thrusts the challenges of climate change into the forefront of egg production considerations. Just last year in Asia, in the months of April and May, temperatures soared to sweltering levels in Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. In fact, temperatures exceeded all previous recorded highs with the northern district of Tuong Duong in Vietnam recording 44.2 degrees Celsius, the highest ever in the country.

As we grapple with rising temperatures, it is clear that egg production is being affected, with hens facing higher vulnerability to heat stress, as well as increased energy costs for the operation of cooling systems. The importance of sustainable design strategies for layer houses goes beyond just economic factors; it is crucial for ensuring the wellbeing and performance of the birds.

For egg production in Asia that already has to deal with high temperatures, the impact of rising temperatures is clear and present:

1. Heat Stress

Layer chickens, being naturally sensitive to heat stress, face risks such as reduced growth rates, compromised feed conversion efficiency and even mortality as global temperatures continue to rise.

2. Energy Costs
Essential cooling systems, like fans and evaporative cooling pads, become increasingly energy intensive as they battle the rising temperatures within layer houses.

3. Environmental Impact
Heightened energy consumption amplifies the carbon footprint, posing not just economic challenges but sustainability concerns.

The need for adapting to improved layer house design practices is becoming increasingly urgent. As egg consumption increases, layer farms are expected to meet the demands of a global industry that will be worth approximately USD207.08 billion by 2030. And add that to the fact that average temperatures are projected to increase by 2 to 6 degrees Celsius by the turn of the century, it is imperative that egg producers are able to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Strategies for Climate-Resilient Layer House Design

One effective approach involves focusing on the design of the layer house and implementing technologies that ensure a comfortable climate for the birds. It is crucial to create a microclimate inside the house that can withstand sudden and prolonged temperature changes. This is essential not only for maintaining production efficiency and profitability but also for ensuring the wellbeing of the animals.

Now let’s look at the house design strategies than can help mitigate the impact of rising global temperatures in your egg production business:

1. Well-Insulated Structure

Enhanced insulation in layer houses helps to reduce heat gain. As heat penetration in layer houses happens either through radiation or conduction, a properly insulated structure using robust materials such a prefabricated insulated panels goes a long way to minimise the impact of excessive heat.

2. Roof Design

As 70% of heat entering the house comes from the roof, consider incorporating shade nets or reflective roofing materials to reduce direct solar radiation and heat absorption. An insulated roof using PU material is also a popular choice to maintain a steady internal temperature, irrespective of the climate outside.

3. Ventilation

The fact is that 90% of the internal heat in layer houses is contributed by the hens themselves. While proper insulation stops outside heat, the heat inside needs to be dissipated by a robust ventilation system. Equipment such as Big Dutchman’s AirMaster Evo fans are ideal for layer houses, delivering precise and uninterrupted climate control with strong air moving capacity and excellent energy efficiency.

4. Cooling Systems
Removing heat from the air entering the house is also an effective way to cool the internal microclimate. Evaporative cooling pads such as the RainMaker and Fogging Cooler can help lower temperatures within the layer house. These systems are energy-efficient and can be automated to respond to changing weather conditions. They are also easy to maintain and relatively cost-effective with a long service life.

5. Light-Coloured Exterior
Choose light-coloured materials for the exterior of the layer house to reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption. By minimising the absorption of radiant energy, internal systems such as ventilation fans do not need to work as hard, directly contributing to energy savings.

6. Climate Control Software
Implement advanced climate control software that can monitor temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors in real-time, allowing for precise adjustments to the ventilation and cooling systems. The ViperTouch Climate Computer is one such system from Big Dutchman that allows to conveniently monitor and optimise your entire house environment.

Although the strategies mentioned above can contribute to mitigating the consequences of climate change in the short term, there is still much to explore in terms of comprehending the effects on layer breeder reproduction, growth performance and overall health. If the current global warming trend continues, it could create new risks in terms of sustainability in egg production, especially for the thousands of traditional concept houses in Asia.

An investment now in a climate-resilient layer house, such as pre-engineered buildings from Big Dutchman, coupled with the use of proven climate systems for egg production will help to keep the heat at bay in the coming years. Of course, close monitoring of extreme climate incidences is also needed to provide the learnings that will ensure the long-term viability of the industry. 

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