Differente light intensities on broilers welfare

• Grant number: 09/14265-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2010
• End date: July 31, 2012
• 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

Abstract

It is known that birds are photoresponsive. Light influences the endocrine system. The bird can capture different spectrum of wavelengths when compared to humans. The color of buikding membranes that close the sidewalls of the broiler houses are important to the broilers behaviour and production. This research has the objective to analize different building membranes with the purpose to find out which illuminance is ideal to the commercial poultry production on issues related to the welfare, environment and productivity of broilers. It will be studied three types of broiler houses, where T1 - tunnel ventilation with black building membrane, T2 - tunnel ventilation with blue bulding membrane and T3 - tunnel ventilation with white building membrane. The collected data will be: illuminance, dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, birds behavior, incidence of leg abnormalities and surfaces temperature using an infrared thermographic camera. These variables will be collected from the 21 until 42 days old broilers. This research will be an important indicator about the influence that the light intensity has above broilers, improving its environment, welfare and performance. (AU)