Determination of Surface Area of Broiler Chickens Using Moiré Technique

Abstract

Surface area (SA) of poultry is an important parameter for heat and mass transfer calculation. Determination using methodologies that are not destructive, such as the moir technique (MT), allows automation of surface area determination, resulting in accuracy and speed gains, besides maintenance of the objects integrity. The objective of this research was to develop and validate an image analysis method for estimating the surface area of broiler chickens. Eighty-four Ross breed broiler chickens, with ages covering all growth phases, were used in this study, of which 37 were males and 47 were females. Dimensions (length, width and height) and body mass of each broiler randomly selected were evaluated in the laboratory. Chickens were illuminated by a light source, in way that fringes were projected, captured and processed for obtaining object's shape by MT. Following this assessment, feathers of chickens were removed for SA determination by conventional method, which was used as the reference for MT calibration and validation. Part of the test results was used to calibrate MT, and part was used to validate it. MT and image analysis were appropriate for evaluating the three-dimensional shape of broiler chickens and SA prediction shows promise as a technique that is neither invasive nor destructive.