Thermal response of broilers in different poultry house models at the Amazon environmental conditions

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.