IMPACT OF SEASONAL VARIATION ON EGG PRODUCTION AND MORTALITY IN FAYOUMI, ALBALADY, AND BLACK AUSTRALORP BREEDS

Abstract

Climate change presents a high level of vulnerability to Pakistan among globally. Both catastrophic floods and droughts occurred in Pakistan throughout the recent decades. Climate change has severe negative effects upon Pakistan's agricultural production sector. Performances of poultry in tropical environments are significantly influenced by the main non-genetic factor which is seasonal variation. Research was conducted to analyze how climatic season fluctuations affected the population size as well as mortality rates among Fayoumi, Albalady and Black Australorp dual-purpose chickens in the semi-intensive system of Islamabad Pakistan. 300 laying hens (100 each breed) were studied for 12 months from winter through spring and summer until autumn.  Research data about weekly egg numbers together with mortality statistics along with temperature-humidity index (THI) measurements. The summer season resulted in a major decrease of egg production alongside higher mortality rates across all breeds but Black Australorp faced the most severe impact. The Fayoumi breed maintained reliable reproduction rates and showed the lowest death rates at all times which confirms its successful seasonal adaptation. Albalady showed an average behavior pattern of resilience yet its production and peak summer performance declined substantially. The research data highlights the necessity of choosing suitable poultry breeds as well as implementing adaptive management for reducing seasonal stress during farming operations.