ABSTRACT The thermal and luminous conditions in aviaries affect the production and quality of eggs. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the thermal and luminous environment of commercial laying hen aviaries equipped with compact fluorescent (CF) and light-emitting diode (LED) lamps and their influence on egg production and quality. The study was carried out in two commercial laying hen facilities with similar construction features and management. The first facility was illuminated with CF lamps and the second with LED lamps. The thermal environment was assessed via air temperature, air relative humidity, and enthalpy. The evaluated lamps provided a similar thermal environment in both facilities. The aviary equipped with LED lamps showed higher illuminance than the one equipped with a CF lamp. Production performance was evaluated through feed intake (FI), feed conversion (FC), mortality (M), and laying percentage (LP). Specific gravity (SG) was used to evaluate eggshell quality. The variables related to production performance and eggshell quality of laying hens raised in aviaries equipped with LED lamps were statistically equal (F-test, p > 0.05) to those raised in aviaries equipped with CF lamps. These results indicate that the replacement of CF lamps with LED lamps does not adversely affect the yield and quality of eggs.

ABSTRACT Due to a number of factors involving the thermal environment of a broiler cutting installation and its interaction with the physiological and productive responses of birds, artificial intelligence has been shown to be an interesting methodology to assist in the decision-making process. For this reason, the main aim of this work was to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict feed conversion (FC), water consumption (Cwater), and cloacal temperature (tclo) of broilers submitted to different air dry-bulb temperatures (24, 27, 30, and 33°C) and durations (1, 2, 3, and 4 days) of thermal stress in the second week of the production cycle. Relative humidity and wind speed were fixed at 60% and 0.2 ms−1, respectively. The experimental data were used for the development of an ANN with supervised training using the Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagation algorithm. The ANN consisted of three input layers one hidden, and three output with sigmoidal tangent transfer functions with values between −1 and 1. The developed ANN has adequate predictive capacity, with coefficients of determination (R2) for tclo, FC, and Cwater of 0.79, 0.87, and 0.97, respectively. In this way, the proposed ANN can be used as a support for decision-making to trigger poultry heating systems for broiler breeding.

ABSTRACT Broiler chickens submitted to different intensities and durations of thermal stress are subject to variation in cloacal temperature and, consequently, to a decrease in performance. Given the complexity of these interactions, artificial intelligence is a useful methodology for decision-making. Thus, this study aimed to assess and predict, by means of a fuzzy model, the cloacal temperature of broiler chickens submitted to thermal stress in the second week of life, with varying durations and intensities, in climatized wind tunnels. Mamdani's inference and defuzzification methods by means of the center of gravity were used. One hundred and twenty rules were elaborated. The developed fuzzy model was used to predict the cloacal temperature of broiler chickens on the day of thermal stress as a function of air dry-bulb temperature (°C), stress duration (days), and the number of days after thermal stress. Cloacal temperature values simulated by the fuzzy model showed standard deviations and percentage errors lower than 0.02 and 0.08%, respectively, when compared to those obtained experimentally.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to compare fuzzy systems with different configurations to predict the surface temperature (ts) of broiler chickens subjected to different intensities and durations of thermal challenges in the second week of life. Data on the ts of broiler chickens aged 8 to 11 days were acquired by infrared thermography and subjected to combinations of four dry-bulb temperatures (tdb) (24, 27, 30, and 33 °C) and four durations of thermal challenges (DTC) (1, 2, 3, or 4 days). The input variables of the fuzzy systems were tdb and DTC, and the output variable was ts. The Mamdani inference method involving five defuzzification methods [center of gravity (centroid), bisector of the area (bisector), largest of maximum (lom), middle of maximum (mom), and smallest of maximum (som)], and Sugeno inference with two defuzzification methods [weighted average (wtaver) and weighted sum (wtsum)] were evaluated. For both inference methods, triangular and Gaussian pertinence functions were tested for input and output variables, except for Sugeno inference, which used singletons functions as output variables. While developing fuzzy systems, different configurations must be compared, and the system with smaller simulation errors should be selected.

ABSTRACT Physiological parameters such as respiratory frequency and rectal temperature stand out as indicators for heat stress in pigs, however, requiring time and labor for measurements. The possibility of using infrared thermography associated with prediction systems of these physiological variables can help in decision making, allowing greater welfare and productivity of the animals. With this objective, an experiment was carried out with growing pigs submitted to acute and chronic heat stress, working with a thermoneutrality temperature (22° C) and heat stress (34° C). The results were used for the development of a fuzzy model using as input variables: air dry bulb temperature (°C), average surface temperature (°C) and, as output variables: respiratory frequency (movements/minute) and rectal temperature (°C). The method of inference used was the one of Mamdani having been elaborated six rules and the defuzzification technique used was the one of the Center of Gravity. In the obtained results on simulation model when compared with experimental data was evidenced satisfactory efficiency in respiratory frequency determination and the rectal temperature, in which the R2 values calculated were respectively 0.997 and 0.951 for acute stress and 0.993 and 0.964 for chronic heat stress.

ABSTRACT: The cloacal and surface temperatures are important physiological parameters to quantify the thermal comfort of animals, its variations may occur as a function of thermal variables. In this context, the goal of the present study was to evaluate the cloacal (tclo) and surface (tsur) temperatures of Cobb 500® broilers, in the second week of life, subjected to different air dry-bulb temperature (24, 27, 30 and 33 °C) and stress durations (1, 2, 3 and 4 days). The experiment was carried out in four climate-controlled wind tunnels. Air relative humidity and air velocity were set at 60% and 0.2 m s-1, respectively. The tclo and tsur were measured daily through digital thermometer and thermographic camera, respectively. Analysis of variance and Scott Knott mean test at 5% probability were applied to the data. The results indicate that the stress by low air temperature (24 and 27 °C) resulted decreased of tclo and tsur (p<0.05, Scott-Knott test). When subjected to high air temperature stress (33 °C), there was no significant difference (p>0.05, Scott-Knott test) compared to the control treatment (30 °C). Acclimation of broilers to thermal stress occurred from the second day of stress.

RESUMO Diante da necessidade de se obter sistemas, para melhor controlar o ambiente de produção de frangos de corte, foi realizado um experimento com frangos de corte de 1 a 21 dias, os quais foram submetidos a diferentes intensidades e durações de temperaturas do ar em túneis de vento climatizados, e os resultados foram utilizados para a validação de um modelo fuzzy. O modelo foi desenvolvido, utilizando como variáveis de entrada: duração do estresse térmico (dias), temperatura de bulbo seco do ar (°C) e, como variável de saída: consumo de ração (g), ganho de peso (g) e conversão alimentar (g.g-1). O método de inferência utilizado foi o de Mamdani, tendo sido elaboradas 20 regras, e a técnica de defuzzificação usada foi a do Centro de Gravidade. Nos resultados, obtidos na simulação do modelo, quando comparados com os dados experimentais, evidencia-se uma eficiência satisfatória na determinação das respostas produtivas, nas quais os valores de R2 calculados, para consumo de ração, ganho de peso e conversão alimentar, foram de 0,998; 0,981 e 0,980, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT Given the need to obtain systems to better control broiler production environment, we performed an experiment with broilers from 1 to 21 days, which were submitted to different intensities and air temperature durations in conditioned wind tunnels and the results were used for validation of afuzzy model. The model was developed using as input variables: duration of heat stress (days), dry bulb air temperature (°C) and as output variable: feed intake (g) weight gain (g) and feed conversion (g.g-1). The inference method used was Mamdani, 20 rules have been prepared and the defuzzification technique used was the Center of Gravity. A satisfactory efficiency in determining productive responses is evidenced in the results obtained in the model simulation, when compared with the experimental data, where R2 values calculated for feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion were 0.998, 0.981 and 0.980, respectively.

É um desafio manter o ambiente térmico, e como as aves alteram seu comportamento em resposta a este ambiente, entender o comportamento dos animais ajuda neste controle. Neste contexto, objetivou-se, com o presente trabalho, avaliar o comportamento de frangos de corte, durante as duas primeiras semanas de vida, submetidos a diversas variações de temperatura do ar em câmaras climáticas. Os animais foram filmados por câmeras de vídeo, possibilitando o monitoramento das aves no estudo dos comportamentos característicos de agrupamento, presença no bebedouro, presença no comedouro e presença em áreas intermediárias. Os resultados mostraram que, em condições de estresse térmico por frio, as aves apresentaram tendência de permanecer maior parte do tempo agrupadas, afetando assim o desenvolvimento e a eficiência produtiva destes animais.

Thermal environment maintenance is a challenge in poultry industry, since birds change their behavior in response to environmental alterations. Therefore, understanding these changes may help breeders in this issue. In this context, we aimed at evaluating broiler behavior within the first two weeks of life under several chamber air temperature variations. The animals were videotaped to aid monitoring birds in group behavior, frequency of use of drinker, feeder and intermediate areas. The results showed that under low-temperature stress, birds tended to group together within flocks most of the time; thus, affecting the development and poultry breeding efficiency.

Com o objetivo de analisar o efeito da idade e a temperatura do ar nas respostas produtivas de frangos de corte, conduziu-se um experimento com animais criados de 1 a 21 dias de idade em túneis de vento climatizados cujos resultados observados foram utilizados no desenvolvimento e teste de um modelo matemático Fuzzy capaz de quantificar esta relação. O modelo desenvolvido tem, como variáveis de entrada: temperatura da primeira semana de vida (ºC), temperatura da segunda semana de vida (ºC) e a idade das aves (semanas), sendo que as variáveis de saída consideradas foram consumo de ração (CR, g), ganho de peso (GP, g) e conversão alimentar (CA, g g-1). O método de inferência de Mandani foi utilizado para elaboração de 36 regras e na defuzificação foi aplicado o método do centro de gravidade. Com base nos resultados e ao se comparar os dados medidos com os obtidos pela simulação com o modelo Fuzzy proposto, coeficientes de determinação (R2) da ordem de 0,9989; 0,9960 e 0,9801 foram verificados para CR, GP e CA, respectivamente.

With the objective of analysing the effect of age and air temperature on the productive responses of broilers, an experiment with bred animals of 1 to 21 days of age was conducted in acclimatized wind tunnels, using the results obtained in the development and testing of a Fuzzy mathematical model able to quantify this relation. The model developed presented as entry variables: temperature in the first week of life (ºC), temperature in the second week of life (ºC) and age of the bird (in weeks), and as the output variables: feed intake (FI, g), weight gain (WG, g) and feed conversion (FC, g g-1). The Mandani inference method was used in the elaboration of 36 rules, and the center of gravity method was applied on the defuzzification. Based on the results, in comparing the measured data with that obtained by simulation with the proposed Fuzzy model, the coefficients of determination (R2) of the order of 0.9989; 0.9960 and 0.9801 were verified for FI, WG and FC, respectively.

A distribuição espacial das iluminâncias e o consumo de energia elétrica do sistema de iluminação artificial constituem um dos principais problemas relacionados à produção de frangos de corte. Portanto, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar a distribuição espacial do nível de iluminância e a eficiência energética de diferentes sistemas de iluminação para galpões para criação de frangos de corte. Seis tipos de lâmpadas foram testados em duas configurações diferentes para atender às iluminâncias mínimas de 20 e 5 lux. As lâmpadas testadas foram a incandescente (LI) de 100 W, fluorescente compacta (LFC) de 34 W, mista (LM) de 160 W, vapor de sódio (LVS) de 70 W, fluorescente tubular T8 (LFT T8) de 40 W e fluorescente tubular T5 (LFT T5) de 28 W. As quatro primeiras foram avaliadas sem e com luminária reflexiva tipo prato, e as duas últimas apenas sem luminária. Para os sistemas testados, verificou-se que o uso de luminárias afetou negativamente a distribuição espacial das iluminâncias no interior do galpão. Os sistemas compostos por LI e LM, sem luminária, propiciaram melhores resultados para se atenderem as iluminâncias mínimas de 20 lux e 5 lux, respectivamente. A LFT T5 apresentou os menores valores de demanda de energia.

The spatial distribution of illuminance and the electric consumption of artificial lighting system is one of the main problems related to broiler production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of luminance level and energy efficiency of different lighting systems for broiler houses. Six types of lamps were tested in two different configurations to find the minimum illuminance of 20 and 5 lux. The tested lamps were incandescent (IL) 100 W, compact fluorescent (CFL) 34 W, mixed (ML) 160 W, sodium vapor (SVL) 70 W, T8 fluorescent tube (T8 FTL) 40 W and T5 fluorescent tube (T5 FTL) 28 W. The first four were evaluated with and without reflective light fixture and the latter two without light fixture. It was observed that the tested system with light fixtures negatively affected the spatial distribution of illuminance inside the house. The systems composed by IL and ML without light fixture led to better results in meeting the minimum illuminance of 20 lux and 5 lux, respectively. T5 FTL presented the lowest energy demand.

Diante do alto grau de mecanização a que as atividades agrícolas estão sendo submetidas, objetivou-se, com esta pesquisa, desenvolver um modelo fuzzy capaz de avaliar e classificar o nível de insalubridade em diversos ambientes de trabalho. O modelo desenvolvido tem como variáveis de entrada: o índice de bulbo úmido e temperatura de globo (IBUTG, °C), o nível de ruído (dBA), a taxa de metabolismo (W m-2) e o tempo de descanso (%) e, como variável de saída, o índice de bem-estar humano (IBEH). O método de inferência utilizado foi o de Mandani e, na defuzificacão, utilizou-se o método do centro de gravidade. O sistema de regras foi desenvolvido com base nas combinações das variáveis de entrada. Foram definidas 400 regras com pesos iguais a 1, sendo que, na elaboração das regras, um especialista da área foi consultado. Foram utilizados dados de campo visando a testar o sistema desenvolvido, e os resultados mostraram que a modelagem proposta é uma ferramenta promissora na determinação do IBEH, apresentando tempo de descanso ideal variando de 64,2% (motosserra, próximo ao ouvido do operador) até 25% (derriçadora, 20 m de distância do operador), sendo que, diante de um cenário predefinido do ambiente térmico e acústico, foi possível determinar o grau de bem-estar humano e o tempo de descanso ideal para cada equipamento avaliado.

Given the high degree of mechanization to which agricultural activities are being submitted, the objective of this research was to develop a fuzzy model able to evaluate and classify the insalubrity level in different work environments. The model developed has as input variables: wet bulb globe temperature index (WBGTI, °C), noise level (dBA), metabolic rate (W m-2) and rest time (%); and has as output variable the human well-being index (HWBI). The Mamdani inference method was used, and for the defuzzification, the Center of Gravity method was used. The system of rules was developed based on combinations of input variables. Four hundred rules were defined, with weights equal to one, considering that in the development of rules, a specialist was consulted. Field data were used in order to test the developed system. The results showed that the proposed model is a promising tool in determining the HWBI, presenting the ideal rest time ranging from 64.2% (chainsaw, near the operator's ear) to 25% (harvester, 20 meters away from the operator), and, given a pre-defined scenario of thermal and acoustic environment, it was possible to determine the degree of human well-being and the ideal rest time for each equipment evaluated.