Analysis of microclimate temperature and relative humidity distribution of local poultry house in a subtropical area of Nigeria

Abstract

The design of the ventilation system to ensure microclimate condition are optimum in poultry houses in the Nigerian context requires knowledge of the microclimate parameter distribution, which is lacking in the literature. This study investigated the patterns of temperature and RH distributions in a typical local poultry house. The specific objectives were to (i) analyse the vertical and horizontal distributions of the microclimate parameters in battery cage poultry housing and deep litter poultry housing, (ii) identify whether the distribution is homogenous or heterogeneous, and (iii) identify the data spread of parameters. An experimental intensive naturally ventilated local poultry house was used for this study. It consisted of deep litter (DL) and battery cage (BC) poultry housing systems partitioned by an air wall. Daytime, nighttime, rainy, and dry season temperature and RH distributions in the BC and DL poultry housing were analysed. Approximately 1.2 °C temperature difference was recorded between the poultry house and the ambient environment during the day and night. The temperature and RH distributions in the poultry housing were heterogeneous. Approximately 5% and 67%–73% of the daytime and nighttime temperature data, respectively, and 37%–41% of daytime RH fell within the optimum values.