Chickens in Malaysia are producing fewer eggs. Is haze a leading cause?

AI Summary

Malaysia and Indonesia are experiencing reduced egg production among chickens, attributed in part to the ongoing haze crisis causing heat stress, water shortages, and feed issues. This environmental strain is severely impacting livestock health and productivity.

This year’s haze crisis has added to the heat woes squeezing livestock farmers in Malaysia and Indonesia, as they struggle to keep their animals cool, fed and productive. While it is difficult to separately assess the effects of haze-related smoke from heat, water shortages, feed and disease, farmers and industry groups say the cumulative strain is severely affecting animal health, productivity and their finances. In Selama, Perak, poultry keeper Zaiful Zakaria, 42, had begun installing...