"Environmental Control Based on the Behavior of Broiler Chickens"

• Grant number: 24/21166-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Rural Buildings and Ambience
• Principal Investigator: Daniella Jorge de Moura
• Grantee: Daniella Jorge de Moura
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola (FEAGRI). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Danilo Florentino Pereira ; Juliana de Souza Granja Barros

Abstract

This project aims to develop an environmental control system based on environmental variables and broiler activity indices, using the Unrest Index under national conditions. The goal is to characterize activity patterns corresponding to thermoneutrality and broilers' heat or cold stress conditions. The innovation of this control system lies in using a Machine Learning model that relates environmental and behavioral variables, adjusting the environment based on the birds' behavior under Brazilian climate conditions. The experiment will be conducted in the climate chamber at the Thermal Comfort Laboratory II (LCT II) of the Agricultural Engineering Faculty at Unicamp. In the three compartments of the chamber, batches of 10 broilers will be placed in each compartment, interchanging conditions. Three batches of broilers will be raised (1 to 42 days). One compartment will maintain a thermoneutral environment (TT), while the others will simulate Cold Stress (TEF) and Heat Stress (TEC). Temperature and relative humidity will be monitored in each chamber, and the Temperature-Humidity Index (ITU) will be calculated for broilers. The birds will be filmed 24 hours a day, and their activity indices (IA) will be calculated. The data will undergo descriptive statistical analysis and supervised Machine Learning models. The model that best fits the data to predict conditions of cold stress, heat stress, or thermoneutrality will be used to develop an environmental control system that will be validated and applicable in commercial poultry farms. (AU)