Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the thermal response of two models of aviary installed in different conditions of the Amazon rainforest and its effects on the poultry welfare. Two models of aviary were evaluated: conventional model, used in the Eastern Amazon (forced ventilation, low ceiling height, little vegetation around the aviary, and high density of birds per m2), and alternative model, used in the Western Amazon (natural ventilation, high ceiling height, a lot of vegetation around the aviary, and average density of birds per m2). Data collected were subjected to a Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05) after a significant ANOVA result. The conventional model of poultry house presented higher (p < 0.05) heat accumulation in its structures. Birds housed in the conventional model of poultry house had higher (p < 0.05) head, neck, back and leg temperatures, higher (p < 0.05) body heat accumulation, and lower heat exchange efficiency to the environment. From these results, we conclude that under Amazonian environmental conditions, the alternative model of poultry house, with natural ventilation, higher height of ceiling and vegetation around the poultry house, provided better environmental conditions and thermal comfort to the broilers due to lower heat concentration and better possibility of heat exchange with the environment.
Highlights
In animal welfare, the environment is characterized by the interaction between physical and biological factors, and how they directly influence the animals performance (Bueno and Rossi, 2006)
Considering the above, this study aimed to evaluate the thermal response of two models of aviary installed in different conditions of the Amazon rainforest and its effects on the poultry welfare
It is important to mention that the aviaries presented different dimensions and different internal and external structures, being the conventional aviary planned according to the models observed in the Brazilian south region, while the alternative model was adapted to the Amazon environmental conditions, aiming to provide a better welfare condition for the birds
Summary
The environment is characterized by the interaction between physical and biological factors, and how they directly influence the animals performance (Bueno and Rossi, 2006). The main obstacles related to animal welfare are associated with the microclimate that is controlled direct and indirectly in the facilities (Tinôco, 2001) These factors cause effects on animal production at all stages, which may cause a reduction on performance and significant economic losses (Nääs et al, 2007). Abreu and Abreu (2011), studying heat stress in birds, indicated that 80% of the energy ingested is used to maintain the homeothermia, and only 20% is directed to the production Comparing his results with those of Silva and Vieira (2010), we observed that homeostasis mechanism is efficient only when the environmental conditions is within certain limits. It is important that aviaries maintain environmental temperatures according to the comfort conditions to the birds
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