Thermal comfort in reduced models of broilers' houses, under different types of roofing materials

Eduardo A De Almeida,Roberta Passini

doi:10.1590/s0100-69162013000100003

Eduardo A De Almeida, Roberta Passini

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-69162013000100003

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Abstract

The research was developed to evaluate the use of different types of roofing materials regularly used in poultry houses. Measurements of thermal comfort were made through the use of techniques such as the Black Globe and Humidity Index (BGHI), the Thermal Heat Load (THL) and Enthalpy (H). Conducted in the State University of Goiás, during the months of April and May, 2011, the experiment was composed of five different treatments: AC - Asbestos cement tiles, BA -Bamboo tiles, BAP - Bamboo tiles painted in white, FB -Vegetable fiber tiles and bitumen, FBP -Vegetable fiber tiles and bitumen painted in white. The experiment consisted in 15 repetitions, which were considered the different days of measurements taken. Throughout the studied period, the time of the day considered the least comfortable was the one observed at 2:00pm, and the coverage of vegetable fiber and bitumen showed the highest value of BGHI (84.1) when compared to other types of coverage, characterizing a situation of lower thermal comfort, and no difference was found for THL and H on treatments in the studied region.

Highlights

IntroductionThe facility must promote a comfortable environment to the animal, without requiring the expenditure of energy conservation or heat dissipation
In tropical countries, like Brazil, the main limiting factors for the welfare of the birds and for achieving high productivity are environmental factors, which include high temperatures and high humidity within the facilities, causing stress to the animal and, decreased production (SOUSA, 2005).The facility must promote a comfortable environment to the animal, without requiring the expenditure of energy conservation or heat dissipation
There were significant differences (P

Summary

Introduction

The facility must promote a comfortable environment to the animal, without requiring the expenditure of energy conservation or heat dissipation. In this situation, the animal is within the thermal comfort zone (BAÊTA & SOUZA, 2010), allowing the expression of its maximum yield potential, resulting in higher production (NAZARENO et al, 2009). The roofs are responsible for promoting a more appropriate environment to livestock production, providing a significant reduction in the Thermal Heat Load compared to the one received by the animal outdoors (BAÊTA & SOUZA, 2010). The construction is faster, easier to clean, which explains the preference of such cover (TCPO, 2008)

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