Severe cold has begun to set in across the country. Just as people struggle with the chilly wind, ducks and chickens are also weakened by it, and fish farms face various problems in winter. Analysing Meteorological Department data, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has given farmers a range of advice on caring for their animals.

The DAE says ducks and chickens can catch various diseases this winter. On a veterinarian's advice, chicks should be vaccinated against Ranikhet disease at one week old and against Gumboro disease at two weeks old. Poultry houses should be cleaned twice a week.

Gunny sacks or plastic curtains should be hung around coops and pens so that cold air cannot get in. Keeping a bulb lit in the chicken house for one to two hours after dusk will increase egg production and reduce disease.

Oxygen in pond water can fall in winter. Lime should be applied as needed after checking the pH (a measure of dissolved hydrogen ion activity), and weeds should be removed from the pond bottom.

Besides clearing bushes, the pond water should be stirred, and fish should be fed on sunny days. When winter comes, branches of trees around the fish farm should be cut back; otherwise falling leaves will spoil the water.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.