Drought causing smaller chickens, eggs in Negros Occidental

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BACOLOD CITY — The drought in Negros Occidental has affected chickens, causing them to lay smaller eggs.

Provincial veterinarian Placeda Lemana said egg production in the locality had not dropped but their sizes had become much smaller.

“You will not see any jumbo eggs in the market now,” she said in an interview on April 17.

“The reason behind it is that chickens are opting to drink more water than eat feeds because of the heat. That means their nutrients are not enough to produce larger sized eggs,” she added.

READ: Negros Occidental town under calamity state due to drought

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the drought that hit Negros Occidental was expected to last until May.

Lemana said the growth of broilers had also slowed down and that chickens were smaller because the heat was causing them to eat less.

She advised growers to reduce the number of chickens per cage for better ventilation.

Ruminants, who feed on grass, on the other hand, have also been affected as grasses dry up.

READ: Almost 2,000 farmers now affected by drought in Negros Occidental

“Our advice to farmers is to give their animals water with sugar or molasses for more energy,” Lemana said.

Except for stunted growth, the provincial veterinarian has not received reports of farm animals succumbing to heat strokes

Lemana reminded the public to keep their pets hydrated and in cool places.

The damage to rice and corn crops due to the drought in Negros Occidental reached P173 million and affected 4,431 farmers in 25 local governments as of April 12, said Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola.

Damage to rice crops reached P168 million and more than P4 million to corn covering 3,241 hectares in 167 barangays.