Conforto térmico em instalação comercial de aves poedeiras no centro-oeste do Brasil

Abstract

Due to importance of thermal environment on productivity of laying hens, this research was performed aiming to investigate the conditions of the internal environment in two commercial facilities of laying hens equipped with different ventilation and air conditioning systems: a) adiabatic evaporative cooling system - GCL and b) natural ventilation system - GNA. In the facilities, located in Primavera do Leste - MT, Midwest of Brazil, the environment conditions and laying hens production were evaluated using variables related to thermal environment and variables related to productive development of the birds. Based on thermal comfort indexes, it was concluded that birds were under stress conditions during the hottest hours of the day (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) in the laying house GNA evaluated. Moderate stress condition was verified for the birds inside of laying house GCL. There was no significant difference regarding egg production between the sheds, they only differ between eggs length. Due to poor thermal conditions presented by the natural shed there was a higher mortality of birds resulting in greater economic loss to the producer.