Efficiency of evaporative systems and ration energy levels on the performance of growing meat chicken

Abstract

Two aviary sheds were used, the shed 1 (AECS) equipped with an adiabatic evaporative cooling system and the shed 2 (AECS + ESPB) equipped with an adiabatic evaporative cooling system together with an evaporative system of perforated bricks in the front and side of the shed. The temperature and the relative humidity of the air were assessed with automated devices (datalogger), together with the Environmental Thermal Index of Productivity for meat chicken (ETIPmc). Nine hundred and sixty male chickens from the Cobb strain were used, fed with isoproteic diets, except for the energy levels, which varied from 3,100 to 3,400 kcal. The use of the AECS was more efficient when associated to the ESPB. The AECS + ESPB provided a more comfortable and homogeneous environment, reflected on the productive parameters and favoring food conversion. Although the sheds exhibited moderately comfortable environments, according to the ETIPmc obtained, the AECS + ESPB showed a better balance of the environmental conditions between the sessions. The energy levels did not influence the variables analyzed, with the exception of the deposition of abdominal fat.