Effect of a simulated heat wave in thermal and aerial environment broiler-rearing environment

Marcos M Do Vale,Karla A O Lima,Thayla M R C Curi,Daniella J De Moura,Irenilza De A Nääs

doi:10.1590/1809-4430-eng.agric.v36n2p271-280/2016

Marcos M Do Vale, Karla A O Lima + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4430-eng.agric.v36n2p271-280/2016

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Global warming increases the occurrence of events such as extreme heat waves. Research on thermal and air conditions affecting broiler-rearing environment are important to evaluate the animal welfare under extreme heat aiming mitigation measures. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of a simulated heat wave, in a climatic chamber, on the thermal and air environment of 42-day-old broilers. One hundred and sixty broilers were housed and reared for 42 days in a climatic chamber; the animals were divided into eight pens. Heat wave simulation was performed on the 42nd day, the period of great impact and data sampling. The analyzed variables were room and litter temperatures, relative humidity, concentrations of oxygen, carbon monoxide and ammonia at each pen. These variables were assessed each two hours, starting at 8 am, simulating a day heating up to 4 pm, when it is reached the maximum temperature. By the results, we concluded that increasing room temperatures promoted a proportional raise in litter temperatures, contributing to ammonia volatilization. In addition, oxygen concentrations decreased with increasing temperatures; and the carbon monoxide was only observed at temperatures above 27.0 °C, relative humidity higher than 88.4% and litter temperatures superior to 30.3 °C.

Highlights

Thermal and aerial environments are extremely important factors that affect broiler poultry production
The high temperature might cause mortality in birds according to their exposure to high temperatures reaching hyperthermia, a high body temperature condition leading to respiratory alkalosis and increasing blood pH due to excessive panting, causing the death of the birds (JULIAN, 2005; TOYOMIZU et al, 2005; ABIDIN & KHATOON, 2013)
The climate change and heat waves events are responsible for severe production losses in broiler facilities (VALE et al, 2010; NÄÄS et al, 2010)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Thermal and aerial environments are extremely important factors that affect broiler poultry production. Lower values of feed intake, weight gain and viability are observed in thermally stressed broilers, especially under high temperature (BOIAGO et al, 2013; OBA et al, 2012). Temperature, relative humidity and wind speed are the major environmental factors affecting animal thermal comfort, providing limits for adequate production (NASCIMENTO et al, 2011; AMARAL et al, 2011). In addition to the high heat, dust and gas concentration have influence on poultry production and chicken mortality (LE BOUQUIN et al, 2013). The hypothesis raised in this study is that heat waves affect thermal and aerial environments of broilers reared in chambers. We simulated a heat wave in a broilerrearing chamber and checked the effects on psychometric variables and gas concentration when birds reached 42 days old

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSIONS