Effects of global climate changes on broiler production in Turkey: Case of the Marmara region

Abstract

As a result of global climate change, heat stress in livestock animals has become more important in terms of both animal health and production costs. Heat stress can negatively affect the health and performance of broilers, as well as other livestock animals. The temperature humidity index is one of the most common tools used to evaluate heat stress in livestock animals. This paper focuses on describing temperature humidity index dynamics over the Marmara basin in western Turkey for the period between 1974 and 2013. To identify risky sites for broiler production in the Marmara, the temperature humidity index in conjunction with a Geographical Information System and indicator kriging were used. Increases in the seasonal and monthly values calculated in this study are significant (P<0.001). Additionally, mean and mean maximum, seasonal temperature humidity index anomaly deviations have been positive since 1998. It is found that whole Marmara except vicinity of Bursa, Balikesir, Sakarya, and coastal black sea was not suitable for economic broiler production. The study findings suggest that broiler producers in the studied area should invest in physical improvements such as shade provision and cooling fans and shift feeding times to cooler hours of the day in June, July, and August in order to alleviate the negative effects of high temperatures and relative humidity.