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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Poultry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #117265
Title: HIGH CYCLIC TEMPERATURES WITH DIFFERING AIR VELOCITIES: THE EFFECT ON PERFORMANCE OF MALE BROILERS

Author
item Lott, Berry
item Simmons, John
item May, James
item Branton, Scott
item Miles, Dana

Submitted to: Southern Poultry Science Society Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2000
Publication Date: 1/15/2001
Citation: Lott, B.D., Simmons, J.D., May, J.D., Branton, S.L., Miles, D.M. 2001. High cyclic temperatures with differing air velocities: The effect on performance of male broilers [abstract]. Poultry Science. 80(Supplement1):22.

Interpretive Summary: None required.

Technical Abstract: Previous research at this laboratory investigated the effect of air velocities of 120 and 180 m/min as compared with still air on body weight gain and feed conversion at moderate cyclic temperatures. The present studies at high cyclic temperatures were conducted in 2 trials with 742 male broilers per trial. Broilers were reared in a common environment with normal brooding practices and fed a basal diet through 3 wk of age. Two wind tunnels with 4 pens per tunnel were located inside an environmentally controlled house. Air velocities of 120 or 180 m/min were used. Six conventional floor pens in the same house were used for still air controls (<15 m/min). Each pen was stocked with 53 3-wk old birds. The temperature was a diurnal cycle of 24-35-24 C with a constant 21 C dewpoint. The experimental period in the tunnels was 4 weeks. Body weight and feed consumption data were collected weekly. No significant improvement in body weight gain at 180 m/min versus 120 m/min air velocity was observed for the first 7 d in the wind tunnel. However, weight gains were significantly greater in both air velocities as compared with still air. Significant improvements in body weight gain and feed conversions with an air velocity of 180 m/min as compared with 120 m/min for the 7-14 d period continued throughout the experiment. Performance data for the birds in still air was significantly reduced at all weekly intervals.