Layer Heat and Moisture Production Measurements in Constant and Cyclic Temperature and Humidity Environments

Abstract

ABSTRACT Heat and moisture production of DeKalb White Leghorn laying hens under one constant and two cyclic temperature and humidity environments were measured in environmental chambers. The sensible component of heat production for the constant thermal environment was 24% higher than the published values; whereas, the latent component of heat production for constant environment was twice the published values. The measured sensible component of heat production in the cyclic out-of-phase temperature and humidity environment differed by 2% from published values; whereas, the cyclic in-phase environment resulted in sensible heat production twice as high as the published values. The measured sensible component of heat production for the two cyclic thermal environments were on an average 85% higher than the constant environment. The latent component of heat production during darkened periods in the cyclic treatments was within 3% of constant environment values.