Johan Buyse

Spatial distribution of surface temperatures and heat loss in broilers chickens.

For effective climate control, more efficient energy use, and better design of broiler houses, it is crucial to study the animal’s surface temperatures to understand heat transfer from the bird to the environment. Therefore, in this research, spatial distributions of surface temperatures of broiler chickens were studied through the bird growth period of 6 weeks. Temperatures of 26 different parts on the body surface were measured by using thermography. It was observed that there were significant differences in spatial distribution of broiler surface temperatures. The highest temperatures (39-41°C) were measured at the positions with little or no feathering (e.g.: cheek, skull and inner thigh). The lowest temperatures (26-37°C), on the other hand, were observed on the places with thickest feather cover (e.g.: wing and breast). The surface temperatures increased in function of age and varied 3-4 °C during week 1 to 7-13 °C until week 6. Temperature differences between the surface of the chicken and its surroundings were also studied as a driving force in convective heat loss of the animal. It was found with an age from 1 to 6 weeks the age and the body parts had significant effects on the heat flux (p<0.0001). Heat loss from the surface of the chicken to the environment increased up to 4th week showing a maximum on the 4th week, and then decreased during the remainder of the growth period.