ABSTRACT The large majority of broiler houses use two types of systems: dark-house system - DHP, and tunnel with curtain system - ATC. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association and the prevalence of locomotion issues in the broiler commercial farming systems (DHP and ATC). For assessing the thermal environment and the litter quality, a completely random design was adopted using two factors (broiler houses, DHP and ATC) with 12 repetitions. To study the surface temperature of the broiler breast, and the locomotion ability (gait score) a completely randomized design was adopted in a double factorial scheme 2 × 2 (two houses typology vs. sex) with 24 repetitions. To verify whether the type of house and the sex were associated to broiler locomotion problems due to the lack in walking ability, and the presence of medular compression (spondylolisthesis) the logistic regression was applied to the analysis: odds ratio and relative risk. The chance of the poultry to present inability of walking was 3.80 times higher in the male population. The risk factor associated with the lack of walking ability of the poultry was correlated to the tunnel house with curtains, presenting a relative risk 1.58 times higher when compared to the dark-house with walls. There was not the relative risk of medular compression (spondylolisthesis) neither was found an association between the poultry’ sex and the type of house. The reduction in the male broiler locomotion ability might be associated with the rearing in the housing tunnel with curtains.

A utilização de lâmpadas de diodo emissor de luz (LED) tem-se destacado na avicultura por apresentar economia de energia e proporcionar viabilidade do processo de criação. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o desempenho e o rendimento de carcaça de frangos de corte expostos a diferentes cores de LED, em comparação às lâmpadas fluorescentes. Para isso, foram realizados dois experimentos (E1 e E2) utilizando 2.646 aves da linhagem Cobb®, em que, no experimento E1, as aves (machos) foram expostas à iluminação artificial (20 lux) com LED vermelho, amarelo, azul, branco e lâmpada fluorescente, e no experimento E2, as aves (machos e fêmeas) foram expostas à iluminação artificial (15 lux) com LED vermelho e azul, e lâmpada fluorescente. Como variáveis respostas, foram medidos o ganho de peso acumulado (kg), o consumo de ração (kg), a conversão alimentar, o peso de carcaça quente (kg), o rendimento de carcaça (%) e de peito, e a coxa-sobrecoxa (%). Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferença (p > 0,05) entre os tratamentos para desempenho e rendimento de carcaça e cortes, no experimento E1. No experimento E2, houve diferença apenas entre os sexos (p < 0,05), com machos apresentando maior ganho de peso acumulado, maior consumo de ração, maior peso de carcaça quente e maior rendimento de coxa-sobrecoxa. Pode-se concluir que a utilização de LED, nas diferentes cores, apresentou o mesmo efeito das lâmpadas fluorescentes sobre o desempenho e o rendimento de carcaça de frangos de corte.

Light emitting diode (LED) has been used in commercial poultry industry by presenting superior energy savings and providing feasibility on production process. The objective of this research was to evaluate performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens exposed to different LED colors compared with fluorescent lamps. For that, two experiments (E1 and E2) were performed and 2,646 Cobb® chickens were used. In experiment E1, male birds were exposed to 20 lux artificial lighting with red, yellow, blue, and white LED bulbs; and fluorescent bulb. In experiment E2, male and female birds were exposed to 15 lux artificial lighting with red and blue LED bulbs; and fluorescent bulb. Cumulative weight gain (kg), feed intake (kg), feed conversion, hot carcass weight (kg), carcass yield (%), and breast and thigh + drumstick yield (%) were used as response variables. Results showed no difference (p > 0.05) among treatments for performance, carcass yield, and cut yield in experiment E1. In experiment E2 there was only difference between genders (p < 0.05) and males showed higher total weight gain, feed intake, hot carcass weight and thigh + drumstick yield. Different LED color use had same effect as fluorescent lights on broiler performance and carcass yield.

A produtividade de matrizes pesadas (frango de corte) está ligada aos princípios de conforto térmico, diretamente relacionados ao microclima da instalação. Neste trabalho objetivou-se o monitoramento do comportamento de matrizes pesadas usando-se a tecnologia de radiofreqüência, identificadores eletrônicos injetáveis e leitores no interior de modelo de galpão de produção em escala reduzida e distorcida. Utilizaram-se no experimento oito aves com identificação eletrônica. Três antenas foram dispostas em três pontos dentro do modelo: no piso do ninho, na passagem entre a parede lateral e o comedouro e sob o bebedouro. Registraram-se continuamente as temperaturas de bulbo seco (TBS), bulbo úmido (TBU) e de globo negro (TGN). Os resultados apontam para um padrão de preferência térmica das aves diferenciado frente às situações de ambiente ocorridas no experimento. Três modelos probabilísticos de comportamento foram desenvolvidos a partir dos registros coletados: modelo probabilístico para uso da passagem: FP = 1,10 - 0,244 ln(TBS), modelo probabilístico para uso do bebedouro: FB = 0,398 + 0,00866 tbs, e modelo probabilístico para uso do ninho: FN = 2,22 - 0,272 TBS + 0,011 TBS² - 0,000144 TBS³.

Female broiler breeder productivity is based on the principles of thermal comfort that are directly related with the microclimate inside the housing. This research had the objective of monitoring the behavior of female broiler breeders, using the technology of radio-frequency, injectable transponders and readers in different existing microclimates inside a small scale distorted housing model. Eight birds with electronic identification were used. Three readers were used, in three different points inside the model: on the floor of the nest, in the passage besides the lateral wall and below the water facility. Dry bulb (DBT), wet bulb (WBT) and black globe (BGT) temperature were measured continuously. The results point out a distinct behavioral pattern of the birds regarding the environment exposition during the experiment. Three probabilistic models of behavior were developed from the recorded data: probabilistic model for the passage use: FP = 1.10 - 0.244 ln(DBT), probabilistic model for the water facility use: FB = 0.398 + 0.00866(DBT), and probabilistic model for the nest use: FN = 2.22 - 0.272 DBT + 0,011 DBT² - 0.000144 DBT³.