For years, poultry farming has offered hope to many Ugandan households as a reliable source of income. From small village homesteads rearing indigenous chickens to large commercial farms supplying eggs and broilers to supermarkets and hotels, the sector has become one of the country’s fastest-growing agricultural enterprises. But increasingly, poultry farmers are fighting a battle they cannot fully control: climate change. Longer dry spells, hotter days, intense rainfall, cold nights, and sudden shifts in weather patterns are all disrupting poultry production. What was once considered a seasonal challenge is now becoming a year-round threat affecting bird survival, feed availability, disease outbreaks, and farmer profits.
Agricultural experts warn that climate change is no longer a distant environmental issue discussed only at international conferences. It is now directly affecting food production systems and threatening livelihoods across Uganda’s agricultural sector. For poultry farmers, the effects are becoming difficult to ignore. ‘When temperatures fluctuate abnormally, birds become stressed, production declines, and disease outbreaks become more common,’ says Aisha Nankya, an agronomist and livestock production specialist in Kampala.
‘Many farmers are still using housing systems that were designed for older weather conditions. Unfortunately, the climate has changed faster than many farming practices,’ she adds. Research published in the journal Discover Sustainability shows that global demand for poultry products is expected to rise sharply by 2050 due to population growth and urbanisation. However, the same report warns that climate change threatens poultry production through water shortages, poor-quality feed, disease outbreaks, and heat stress. In Uganda, where many poultry farmers operate on limited budgets, these climate-related pressures are becoming increasingly expensive.
How extreme heat hurts poultry production
One of the most serious climate-related challenges facing poultry farmers today is heat stress. Unlike humans, chickens do not sweat. During extremely hot weather, they struggle to cool their bodies and instead pant heavily to release heat. This process consumes energy, reduces appetite, and weakens the birds. ‘When birds are exposed to prolonged heat, they eat less feed, grow slowly, and lay fewer eggs,’ explains Dr Samuel Kigozi, an agronomist working with livestock farmers in central Uganda. ‘In severe cases, especially among broilers, you can even record sudden deaths because the birds fail to regulate body temperature,’ he says.
On many poultry farms, farmers have reported increased poultry losses during unusually hot months. Commercial broilers are especially vulnerable because they grow rapidly and generate more body heat. Layers also suffer because heat stress affects egg production and egg quality. Farmers operating in iron-sheet poultry houses without proper ventilation are among the hardest hit. During hot afternoons, temperatures inside poorly ventilated structures can become dangerously high. Some farmers say the weather today is far less predictable than it was a decade ago. ‘We used to know when the rainy season would start and when the dry season would come,’ says Joseph Ssemanda, a poultry farmer in Mpigi District.
‘Now the heat comes suddenly and lasts longer. Even the birds behave differently.’ Changing rainfall patterns worsening disease outbreaks. Heavy rainfall and increased humidity are also creating new problems for poultry farmers. Wet conditions encourage the spread of bacterial infections, parasites, and respiratory diseases. Poultry houses with leaking roofs or poor drainage quickly develop damp litter that exposes birds to infections. ‘When litter becomes wet, ammonia builds up very fast and affects the respiratory system of birds,’ explains Nankya. ‘That is why many farmers see more coughing, eye irritation, and breathing problems during rainy seasons.’
Diseases such as coccidiosis and Newcastle disease are becoming more difficult to control when birds are constantly exposed to stressful environmental conditions. Veterinary experts say climate change is indirectly increasing disease outbreaks because stressed birds develop weaker immunity. ‘When birds are exposed to either excessive heat or cold conditions, their immune system weakens,’ says Dr Kigozi. ‘This means even diseases that were previously manageable can spread faster and cause bigger losses.’
Farmers forced to spend more on housing
As temperatures continue to rise, farmers are increasingly investing in climate-smart poultry housing systems. Agronomists say proper ventilation is now essential rather than optional. ‘A poultry house must allow free air circulation while protecting birds from direct sunshine and heavy rain,’ says Nankya. She advises farmers to reduce overcrowding, raise roofing heights, and install wire mesh sections that improve airflow. Some farmers are also planting trees around poultry units to lower surrounding temperatures naturally.
In rural areas, locally available materials such as papyrus mats, banana fibre, and thatch are being used to reduce heat inside poultry structures. ‘These traditional materials are becoming important again because they insulate houses better than iron sheets alone,’ Nankya explains. However, many small-scale farmers struggle to afford improved housing systems. Constructing climate-resilient poultry houses requires money that many farmers do not have, especially after repeated weather-related losses.
Chicks highly vulnerable during cold weather
While heat receives most attention, experts say cold weather also poses serious risks, particularly for chicks. During prolonged rainy periods, temperatures can drop sharply at night. Chicks often huddle together for warmth, increasing the risk of suffocation. Coldness also weakens immunity and exposes birds to pneumonia and other respiratory infections. ‘Brooding management is becoming more difficult because weather conditions are changing suddenly,’ says Dr Kigozi.
‘In the past, farmers could estimate seasonal temperatures more easily. Now you may experience cold nights even during traditionally warm months,’ he adds. Farmers commonly use charcoal stoves, gas brooders, infrared bulbs, or locally made coal pots to provide warmth. But experts caution that poor ventilation while using heating equipment can create dangerous smoke accumulation inside poultry houses.
Climate change affecting poultry feed supply
Climate change is also contributing to rising poultry feed costs. Uganda’s poultry industry heavily depends on maize and soybean products, which are themselves vulnerable to droughts and irregular rainfall. When crop harvests decline due to prolonged dry spells or floods, feed prices rise sharply. According to Nankya, feed now accounts for nearly 70 percent of poultry production costs in Uganda. ‘When maize production falls because of drought, poultry farmers immediately feel the impact through higher feed prices,’ she says.
Some farmers are responding by exploring alternative feed ingredients including silverfish, sunflower seed cake, cassava peels, and black soldier fly larvae. However, experts warn that farmers must ensure nutritional balance when adopting alternative feeds. ‘Poor-quality feed weakens birds further and increases vulnerability to disease,’ says Dr Kigozi.
Water shortages becoming a growing concern
Access to clean water is another challenge becoming more common during extended dry seasons. Poultry birds require adequate water for digestion, cooling, and growth. Layers also need enough water to sustain egg production. ‘When temperatures rise, birds consume more water. If water becomes limited or too warm, productivity declines immediately,’ says Nankya. Experts are encouraging farmers to invest in rainwater harvesting systems using tanks and gutters to improve water availability throughout the year. Regular cleaning of drinkers is also important because contaminated water spreads disease rapidly within flocks.
Farmers urged to adopt climate-smart practices
Agricultural experts believe adaptation will determine whether Uganda’s poultry sector survives future climate pressures. ‘When farmers receive early warnings about heatwaves or heavy rainfall, they can act before disaster strikes,’ says Dr Kigozi. ‘This may involve repairing roofs, improving drainage, storing feed, or adjusting stocking density.’ Biosecurity has also become increasingly important. Farmers are advised to restrict unnecessary visitors, disinfect equipment, install footbaths, and separate poultry from wild birds. For free-range poultry keepers, experts warn against allowing domestic birds to mix freely with wild birds.