Sri Lanka’s poultry sector is facing a growing crisis as extreme dry weather conditions drive a surge in chicken deaths across farms, industry representatives warn.
Farm owners report that soaring temperatures have made it increasingly difficult for birds—particularly broilers—to survive inside enclosed poultry sheds. The heat stress has led to rising mortality rates, raising alarm among producers.
President of the Sri Lanka Animal Producers’ Association, Ajith H. Gunasekara, said broiler chickens are dying due to their inability to tolerate the current high temperatures. He also noted a significant decline in egg production across farms.
According to industry estimates, egg-laying rates have dropped by around 20 percent as a direct result of the heat, further straining supply in the market.
Gunasekara explained that poultry sheds housing between 25,000 and 30,000 birds must be maintained at controlled temperatures to ensure survival. However, even short power interruptions can have severe consequences.
“If electricity is disrupted even for an hour, backup generators must be activated immediately to prevent losses,” he said.
The association has appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure an adequate supply of diesel for generators, warning that without reliable fuel access, farms could face further large-scale losses.
The situation highlights the vulnerability of the poultry industry to climate extremes and infrastructure challenges, with potential knock-on effects for food supply and prices nationwide.
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