Summer Heat changes flock

[kidseieio]

I am hoping someone can offer some guidance on several things changing my flock. With the summer heat, some of my normal layers are not laying at all for extended periods of time ( upwards of over a week) and as well as many of my pairs, their eggs are not fertile. During the winter, my couples are producing more fertile eggs and hatching is much better. Does summer heat affect the fertlization quality of eggs as well as a tremendous drop in egg laying?? I cant seem to find any literature on this on the internet. I am making sure that we use electrolytes in water due to heat and all birds have fans and access to cool water and shading. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[yinepu]

Sure does.. the heat is hard on both the hens and roosters... it's pretty much the same with any critter in the heat.. rabbits in particular can go heat sterile

 

[ChickenAlgebra]

Yup! Our production hens lay all winter, but not as good in the summer.

 

[kidseieio]

Thank you SOOOO much for your responses. I feel better knowing that we are pampering our babies but that the heat is still taking its toll.