During El Niño events, heavy rainfall or prolonged drought alter housing microclimates, affecting disease risks differently in open-sided and closed poultry houses.

In open-sided houses, heavy rainfall increases litter moisture and ammonia levels, promoting coccidiosis and pododermatitis. Dry conditions increase airborne dust, irritating the respiratory tract and increasing the incidence of colibacillosis.

Closed houses with mechanical ventilation can better control humidity; however, power outages during storms can lead to rapid ammonia buildup. During drought, air recirculation may concentrate pathogens, increasing the risk of viral respiratory diseases.

To mitigate these risks, in open houses during wet periods, litter turning should be increased and ridge ventilation should be installed. During dry periods, misting systems can be used to reduce dust levels. For closed houses, backup generators and ammonia sensors integrated with exhaust fan control systems are recommended. Cleaning schedules should also be adjusted based on rainfall forecasts. These targeted measures can reduce disease incidence under El Niño extremes.

Other Posts

  • Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines: Opportunities and Entry Strategies for Floor Rearing Equipment in Southeast Asia’s Three Key Markets

    Southeast Asia’s poultry sector is shifting from backyard farming to commercial production, creating strong demand for floor rearing equipment. Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines represent the region’s most promising markets. Indonesia has the largest broiler population but faces fragmentation. Success requires affordable semi‑automated systems and local after‑sales support. Vietnam’s market is more structured, with growing…

  • The Future of Large-Scale Smart Poultry Farming

    The outlook for large-scale smart poultry farming is exceptionally promising globally, driven by the need to feed a growing population sustainably. These technologically advanced farms represent a significant evolution from traditional methods, integrating automation, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Key development advantages are substantial. Firstly, precision farming using sensors and AI monitors…

  • How to Choose Your Poultry System

    How to Choose the Right Poultry Farming System and Equipment Selecting the right farming method and equipment starts with evaluating your farm scale, climate conditions, and target market. Floor rearing is suitable for welfare-focused farms, offering lower initial investment, easier all-in/all-out sanitation management, and relatively simple litter handling. Cage systems maximize stocking density but face…

  • From Experience to AI: The Evolution of Environmental Control in Floor-Rearing Houses

    Traditional poultry farming relied heavily on grower experience and manual judgment. Today, AI-driven environmental control systems are transforming this approach . Recent research demonstrates significant breakthroughs. Scientists have developed predictive models like EMD-LSTM-Attention that forecast house temperature with a mean absolute percentage error as low as 0.76%, enabling proactive rather than reactive climate management .…