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Bioclimate diagnosis for broilers in the Amazon region

José Anchieta de Araujo ; Andressa Fernandes Monção ; Romero Kadran Rodrigues Vieira
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Most studies in Brazil on thermal comfort for broilers were carried out in the South and Southeast regions of the country, there being little information on these weather conditions for the Amazon region. Thus, this study aimed at a bioclimate diagnosis for rearing broiler chickens in the Amazon region. The diagnosis was made with climatic data (temperature and relative humidity) of the meteorological database for teaching and research at the National Institute of Meteorology (Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia - INMET), weather station Marab?, Par? state, Brazil. Average data were used for the seven-month period from January to July 2015. The climate variables included: maximum temperature (MAXT, ?C); Minimum temperature (MINT, ?C) and average (AVT, ?C), relative humidity (RH%) and temperature and humidity index (THI), calculated based on the average of temperature and relative humidity in the period studied. Readings were performed daily. Climatological data were compared under the optimal conditions for thermal comfort of broilers based on recommendations for temperature, RH and THI cited in the literature and manuals of broiler chicken lineages. The climate characteristics measured in the study, compared with the recommendations required, presented RH values (76%) higher than those recommended (50-70%) for broilers in the first week of life, which compromises the well-being of the animals. Thermal conditions are beyond adequate for MAXT, AVT and MINT. THI value was in the range from 75.2 to 78.9 during the study period, thus requiring attention, since THI is a dimensionless value. In the livestock, values of up to 74 represent comfortable environments; 74-78 require caution, alert; 79-84 are dangerous; and emergency condition from 85 maybe causing death of animals. The bioclimate in the Amazon region has low potential for rearing broiler chickens and density of rearing these animals must be decreased to provide adequate comfort, thus allowing the animals to express their full genetic potential.