Assessment of thermal comfort of broiler birds in warm - humid climate

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in a poultry house located at the Faculty of Agriculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Nigeria to assess the thermal comfort of broiler birds of 0-8 weeks old. ASHRAE standard instruments were used to measure environmental parameters within two years (May to July 2020: rainy season; Dec. to Feb. 2021: dry season and May to July 2021: rainy season; Dec. to Feb. 2022: dry season). During the survey, the birds were exposed to environmental variables such as air temperature, relative humidity, and airflow. A strong correlation was found between the ambient temperature and the mortality of the birds. The highest mortality was recorded when the ambient temperature hovered around 30oC. There was an increase in mortality rate at an indoor temperature range of 32 -34oC, while the lowest mortality was recorded at the indoor temperature of 28oC. The feed conversion ratio was low when the indoor temperatures were high. The researchers found that the first experiment was consistent with the second experiment. The study recommended good air flow and the planting of trees around broiler birds houses to enhance the thermal comfort of the birds, leading to less mortality and efficient feed conversion ratio.