POULTRYINDONESIA, Jakarta – The increasingly unpredictable weather changes in recent years have begun to impact the poultry farming sector. Entering the transitional season, extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity have been shown to affect chicken performance, ranging from feed consumption to overall health.

This was conveyed by Dudung Abdul Malik, Research and Development at Farmsco Feed Indonesia, on Wednesday (March 11, 2026). He noted that current weather conditions are far more difficult to predict compared to a few years ago.

“The cycle of rainy and dry seasons is now uncertain. This directly affects chickens, especially in terms of feed intake, which tends to decrease at high temperatures,” he said.

He explained that during heat stress, chickens reduce their feed consumption to lower metabolic heat production. On the other hand, water intake increases as a natural cooling mechanism. This imbalance can potentially lead to nutritional deficiencies if not properly anticipated.

“If feed intake drops, the supply of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals will also decrease. This ultimately affects performance and can reduce growth by up to 5–10 percent,” he added.

In addition to consumption factors, housing environment conditions also present their own challenges. High humidity due to the lingering rainy season makes litter wetter, which can increase ammonia levels and trigger respiratory issues.

A similar view was expressed by Agus Damar, Technical Department Manager at Romindo, on Tuesday (March 10, 2026). He stated that climate changes over the past decade have increased stress risks in chickens.

“Weather changes are now more extreme. Sometimes there is prolonged heat, followed suddenly by continuous rain. These conditions make chickens more prone to stress and weaken their immunity,” he explained.

According to him, environmental stress can trigger various secondary problems, such as increased ammonia levels in the house. This occurs because stressed chickens tend to drink more and produce more watery droppings.

“Wet droppings will increase ammonia. If ventilation is not optimal, this gas will rise and damage the chickens’ respiratory tract, opening the door to diseases such as CRD,” he added.

These conditions can worsen if housing management fails to adapt quickly. Open house systems, for example, are considered more vulnerable to weather changes compared to closed houses, which have better environmental control.

Farmers are advised to adjust their management practices during the transitional season. One recommended step is to schedule feeding times during cooler periods, such as in the morning or at night. In addition, farmers should pay close attention to ventilation quality, keep litter dry, and ensure adequate drinking water availability.

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