Design and testing of a novel environmental preference chamber

Autor(es)

Maia, Ana Paula de A. ^[1] ; Moura, Daniella J. ^[1] ; Green, Angela R. ^[2] ; Silva, Wagner T. ^[1] ; Sarubbi, Juliana ^[3] ; Massari, Juliana M. ^[1] ; Soares Barbosa, Leonardo Valentino ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Coll Agr Engn, 501 Candido Rondon Ave, BR-13083875 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Illinois, Dept Agr & Biol Engn, 1304 West Penn Ave, Urbana, IL 61801 - USA

^[3] Univ Fed Santa Maria, Dept Anim Sci, 3571 Independencia Ave, BR-98300000 Palmeira Das Missoes, RS - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS IN AGRICULTURE; v. 157, p. 23-37, FEB 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Preference testing is one method for assessing animal perceptions regarding their housing environment and can assist with animal welfare assessment. No literature was found detailing specific designs for the compartments and their temperature and ammonia distribution. A novel system was designed and built as an environmental preference system (EPTS); the system has three parallel connected compartments separated by an automatic door. For the appropriate interpretation of animal responses for environmental testing, it is important to ensure precise control, stability, and uniformity of environmental control. Set-point values of 15, 22, and 30 degrees C and 0, 20, and 40 ppm(v) NH3 were randomly applied to all compartments during the testing. The system has proven to be capable of providing distinct simultaneous environments in each compartment (t(db) of 15.8 +/- 1.4 degrees C, 22.4 +/- 1.0 degrees C, 30.1 +/- 0.8 degrees C and NH3 concentrations of 3.5 +/- 2.8 ppm(v), 19.4 +/- 4.1 ppm(v), and 38.2 +/- 4.4 ppm(v)). The validation of the EPTS was conducted with a group of nine broilers that could transit between the compartments of the EPTS and avoid the heat stress environment. This system can be used for environmental preference studies with animals within the limits reported for the stability, repeatability, and uniformity of the environments. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/10552-5 - Desenvolvimento de um sistema de preferência ambiental para frangos de corte
• Beneficiário: Daniella Jorge de Moura
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 09/09717-0 - Desenvolvimento de uma câmara para teste de preferência
• Beneficiário: Ana Paula de Assis Maia
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado