The chilly weather has increased chick mortality in poultry farms in Mangaldan, Pangasinan with farmers struggling to keep their young birds alive.

In Barangay Banaoang, poultry farmer Gerald Cruz reported a sharp rise in chick deaths, from 10 to 20 every two days to as many as 50.

“Sisiw ang problema namin kasi sa lamig ng panahon, talagang mamamatay sila, kaya may mga tolda, ayan isinasara namin kapag gabi na tapos may mga ilaw sila,” Cruz said.

The Mangaldan Municipal Veterinary Office said respiratory diseases in animals often spike during cold weather.

Municipal veterinarian Wilino Zacarias advised farmers to take precautions.

“Ang advise namin sa kanila, kung kukuha sila ng sisiw, dapat kumpleto na ng bakuna, provided ng ilaw para hindi sila mamatay,” he said.

Younger chicks are more vulnerable to the cold, while chickens older than one month are generally in the safe zone.

To minimize losses, farmers are using heat lamps and administering vitamins and medicine to prevent diseases from spreading in their poultry farms.

With temperatures expected to drop further in the coming days, farmers remain vigilant.