Effects of ambient temperature on body size and organ development in broilers

Abstract

The current study investigated the effect of poultry house temperature change on the growth and development of both broiler chickens themselves and the development of their individual organs. Following 42 days of rearing, results showed that the body oblique length, chest width, chest depth, chest angle, keel length, pelvic width, and tibial length of broilers in the low temperature group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05), while the breast depth of broiler chickens in the high-temperature group was significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, low temperatures significantly increased the function of the heart, liver, spleen and pancreas of broiler chickens (P<0.05). After 7 days of rearing, the bursal index of broilers in the high temperature group was significantly higher than in the control group as well as in the low temperature group (P<0.05). Previous research has established that high and low temperatures significantly affect the growth and development as well as the immunity of broiler chickens, namely that low environmental temperatures have a more adverse effect on broiler chickens than high temperatures. Consequently, using and maintaining high temperatures early in rearing helps to improve the immunity of broilers and improve their performance. The results of our study provides an opportunity to provide both a theoretical and a practical basis for accurate temperature setting in poultry houses for effective breeding of broiler chickens, which will make it possible to increase the productivity of broiler chickens and increase the economic efficiency of the poultry house. Key words: temperature, breeding, body weight, organ development, broilers chickens.