Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the on-board thermal micro-conditions of vehicles using the enthalpy comfort index (ECI) during transportation of pullets during the hot-dry season in Northern Nigeria. Three vehicles were used to transport 2800 Black Harco pullets for 5 hours each during the nighttime. The ECI, which combines an integral part of ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded at different spots inside the vehicles during transportation. On-board thermal heterogeneity was observed inside the vehicles with significantly higher (p<0.05) values of ECI at the centre (120 ± 8.5 KJ/kg) and front (100+ 5.8 KJ/kg) and lower values recorded at the sides (85±4.5 KJ/kg) and rear (87 ± 7.2 KJ/kg) planes of the vehicles during the transportation period. 80% of the birds that died during the transportation were found in drawers located at the centre with ECI value higher than 100 KJ/kg. In conclusion, transporting pullets under ECI above 100 KJ/kg constituted poor welfare and may result to heat stress and mortality.
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