The scorching summer has dealt a severe blow to the poultry industry, with farm owners from different parts of the State flagging a sharp rise in broiler chicken mortality as birds struggle to withstand the intense heat.

Poultry farmers say the soaring daytime temperatures, coupled with high humidity, are making survival difficult for the birds, forcing them to take additional measures to improve ventilation and cooling. The heat leads to reduced feed intake, slower growth, and increased vulnerability to disease, they add.