Abstract

BRAUER-VIGODERIS, Ricardo et al. Effect of heating systems in litter quality in broiler facilities in winter conditions. Dyna rev.fac.nac.minas [online]. 2014, vol.81, n.185, pp.36-40. ISSN 0012-7353.  https://doi.org/10.15446/dyna.v81n185.35762.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of heating systems in poultry houses on the characteristics of the psychrometric air and litter quality (moisture and pH) in winter conditions in the western Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in three properties of the integrated poultry farms Perdigão with three similar sheds, equipped with different heating systems (infrared heater -; furnace with indirect air heating; radiant experimental "drum" system with an infrared supplemental heating system). Values were obtained continuously from three median points of each facility at the same height of the birds - measuring the relative humidity and air temperature - for the determination of THI. For the analysis of litter humidity and litter pH, four samples were collected at four different points in each shed every two days during the period in which the heating systems were used. In the poultry houses, the THI values detected were within the range considered adequate for the development of animals in their first week, respecting the requirements of animal welfare; In their second week of life, excessive values of THI were detected, featuring discomfort and energy waste. In environments heated by the evaluated systems, the litter moisture content is maintained a suitable value according to the literature, however, the pH values of the litter samples collected in the production environments showed a basic environment, making it suitable for growth of ammonifying bacteria.

Keywords : broiler; poultry houses; humity; pH.

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