RESUMO A inclusão do enriquecimento ambiental na criação convencional dos frangos de corte pode causar aumento na mobilidade, massa óssea e músculos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o uso do enriquecimento ambiental na criação de frangos de corte em diferentes idades e sua influencia no desempenho, morfometria, rendimento e peso das partes. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo que, nas parcelas foram alocados os tratamentos presença (T1) e ausência (T2) de enriquecimento ambiental e nas subparcelas as idades dos frangos (1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 e 42 dias), com 56 aves em cada tratamento (T1 e T2). Os dados obtidos foram analisados pelo modelo linear de efeitos fixos e comparados pelo teste de médias de Tukey. Os animais foram criados em ambiente controlado, dividido em quatro boxes com dimensões: 1,5 × 1,0 × 0,7 m, contendo cama de palha de arroz. Em T1 utilizou-se uma escada com poleiro no topo distribuída a cada 1,5 m2. O uso de enriquecimento ambiental não influenciou no desempenho zootécnico dos frangos de corte. As propriedades morfométricas, peso das partes e o peso corporal dos frangos de corte aumentaram, devido ao uso do enriquecimento ambiental; essa melhoria foi observada na fase final de criação das aves. O enriquecimento ambiental foi benéfico para ganho de massa muscular e óssea nas principais partes comerciais da carcaça de frango, além de reduzir o coeficiente alométrico dos peitos dos frangos.

ABSTRACT The inclusion of environmental enrichment in conventional broiler rearing can increase mobility, bone mass and muscle. This research aimed to evaluate the use of environmental enrichment in the rearing of broilers at different ages and its influence on performance, morphometry, yield and weight of the parts. It was used the completely randomized design in split-plot scheme, being the plots the treatments presence (T1) and absence (T2) of environmental enrichment and the subplots the broiler ages (1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days), with 56 chicks in each treatment (T1 and T2). Data obtained were analyzed by the linear effect model of fixed effects and compared by Tukey’s test of means. The animals were raised in a controlled environment, divided into four boxes with dimensions: 1.5 × 1.0 × 0.7 m, containing rice straw bed. In T1 a ladder with a perch on top was used, distributed every 1.5 m2. Environmental enrichment used did not influence broiler’s zootechnical performance. Broilers’ morphometric properties, parts weight and body weight increased due to environmental enrichment and, improvement was observed in chicks rearing’s final phase. The environmental enrichment was beneficial for muscle and bone mass gain in the main commercial parts of the chicken carcass, in addition to reducing the allometric coefficient of the breasts in chickens.

ABSTRACT Locomotor problems are a challenge for commercial poultry, but current methods used to assess the bone structure of chickens are few and laborious. The objective of this study is to present software for the automatic extraction of morphometric characteristics of broiler chicken’s locomotor bones throughout the life cycle, by applying computer vision techniques. 112 samples from the tibia and 112 from the femur of commercial chickens were used, subdivided by age (0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days). The images were digitally processed to extract bone morphometric properties (area, length, and perimeter). New software was created, including the proposed processing and algorithms for obtaining the morphometric characteristics. Classification models (artificial neural networks, ANN, and k-nearest neighbors’ algorithm, KNN) were developed to classify bones according to age and type. The results of the software were satisfactory, the sample bank could be handled correctly, a high applicability to test images from other sources was determined. For the classification of bones, the ANN method was more accurate than KNN. The information obtained in this study opens new possibilities for evaluative studies of broiler locomotive systems.

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the dynamics of heat zones in the load and its relationship with the stress of pigs during transport. Four journeys of 170 km were monitored, recording the physiological variables of 192 animals (48 per journey), namely rectal temperature (RT), body temperature (BT), respiratory rate (RR), blood lactate concentrations and salivary cortisol. Heat zones and ventilation patterns were characterized by the spatial variability of the enthalpy and the Computational Fluid Dynamics of the load. The formation of a thermal core was observed in the frontal region of the load, which extended through the lower (LD) and upper (UD) decks. Pigs transported in the LD had higher means of RR (UD = 89 and LD = 94 breaths/min), and salivary cortisol (UD = 33.84 and LD = 34.92 ng/mL). The pigs transported in the UD presented the highest mean BT (UD = 38.9 and LD = 38.1 °C) and lactate (UD = 61.63 and LD = 58.26 mg/dL). Pigs transported in the LD of the load were more susceptible to thermal stress, while pigs transported in the UD showed greater physical stress and muscle exhaustion.

ABSTRACT The characterization of ventilation during the transport of broiler chickens is essential for identifying and characterizing the potential problems of a convective heat flow and its effects on the welfare and the health and production conditions of the chickens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ventilation patterns in two layout models of a live transport load: conventional (LC) and alternative (LA) with spacers placed between the chicken transport crates. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and wind tunnel tests were performed using small scale models. The results showed that the use of spacers between crates (LA model) modified the ventilation patterns and increased the wind circulation between crates. However, wind tunnel tests simulating a density of eight birds/crate were inconclusive because the ventilation was below the sensitivity of the measuring devices used (0.001 m/s). It can be concluded that the use of spacers between the transport crates can modify the ventilation patterns within the load and increase the air circulation between the crates. However, the internal ventilation within the crates has not changed, suggesting the need for studies on the aerodynamics of a transport crate for poultry use.

RESUMO O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar e monitorar os caminhões climatizados transportadores de pintos em diversos turnos de viagens, através da tecnologia GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), visando possibilitar um controle térmico em tempo real pelos gestores das indústrias avícolas. O equipamento Control-Broilers foi composto pelo GS-105 e a Plataforma Monitorar®. O GS-105 foi constituído por sensores, microprocessador, GPRS e pilhas. A Plataforma Monitorar® apresentava 9 aplicativos, que atuaram coordenadamente, através da tecnologia web services RESTful. Foram avaliados e monitorados 28 transportes de pintos por meio do Control-Broilers, em um incubatório comercial. Todos os percursos foram supervisionados por dois pesquisadores para assegurar a transmissão dos dados em tempo real, através de computadores portáteis e smartphones. Foram usados três caminhões climatizados, durante dois turnos. Os veículos possuíam as mesmas dimensões, porém, os percursos, tempos de viagens e densidades eram variados. As avaliações temperatura do ar, umidade relativa e entalpia específica dos caminhões fora realizadas em intervalos de um min. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente aleatorizado em esquema fatorial 3 x 2, que representaram os três caminhões (CL, CA e JA) e os dois turnos (dia e noite), contendo quatro repetições (viagens). Os caminhões climatizados transportadores de pintos proporcionaram 92,85% de eficiência na transmissão de dados em tempo real, aplicando a tecnologia GPRS. Os caminhões climatizados e os turnos de viagens não apresentaram homogeneidade térmica nas cargas de pintos. O turno da noite foi o que apresentou piores condições térmicas.

ABSTRACT This research aimed to monitor and evaluate air-conditioned trucks transporting day-old chicks, in various shifts of travel, through general packet radio service (GPRS) technology to provide real-time thermal control for poultry industry managers. The Control-Broilers equipment used were GS-105 and the Monitorar Platform. GS-105 is composed of sensors, a microprocessor, GPRS, and batteries. The Monitorar Platform provided nine applications that acted in coordination with web technology RESTful services. Twenty-eight chick transports were evaluated and monitored using the Control-Broilers. Truck routes were supervised by two researchers to ensure real-time data transmission through laptops and smartphones. Three air-conditioned trucks were used during two of days shifts. The vehicles had the same dimensions, but the routes, travel times, and load densities varied. Measurements of the air temperature, relative humidity, and specific enthalpy inside the trucks were recorded every minute. The experimental design was entirely randomized in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme, which represented the three trucks (CL, CA and JA) in two transport shifts (day and night), containing four repetitions (travel).The air-conditioned trucks transporting day-old chicks presented a 92.85% efficiency for real-time data transmission using GPRS technology. The trucks during the travel shifts did not provide thermal homogeneity in chick loads. The night shift presented worse thermal conditions.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess different combinations of coverage materials in reduced models of animal husbandry facilities based on thermal comfort indices. It was conducted in an experimental area of the Research Center in Ambience located in São Paulo State, Brazil (22°42′30″ S and 47°38′00″ W). The performance of ceramic and fiber-cement (white painted) tiles was assessed associated with two types of polypropylene commercial linings (lining A and B) installed below the roof, and a thermo-reflective screen (lining C) installed above the fiber-cement roof. Microclimatic assessment of distorted reduced-scale models was performed at 15-minute intervals by registering the air temperature, black globe temperature, relative humidity and air velocity. Subsequently, black globe humidity index, specific enthalpy, and radiant heat load were calculated. The experimental design was randomized block design with 5 treatments and 15 blocks (replications), totaling 75 experimental units. The reduced-scale models with lining B presented a reduction for all thermal comfort indices. Lining C, installed on the coverage, showed no upgrading of environmental thermal conditions. Thus, lining B presented a better thermal performance regardless the tile type.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine a model to predict mean surface temperature of broiler chicks and live load microclimate conditions during transport by using neural networks. The research was conducted in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, by monitoring nine shipments with different density of boxes using an air-conditioned truck with an average capacity of 380 boxes. Fourteen chick boxes were chosen on each shipment, assessing five chicks per box. The mean surface temperature of chicks (MST) was measured with an infrared thermometer in both loading and unloading. By assessing the container microclimate (center and inside boxes), air temperature (T), relative humidity (RH) and specific enthalpy (h) were recorded; thereby, seventeen data loggers were placed, one per box (14), and three along the container. MST and truck microclimate were analyzed using artificial neural networks with a single layer and seven neurons, which were trained with the least mean square (LMS) algorithm. MST in the unloading showed a better prediction of MST during transport. The best prediction of microclimatic conditions was obtained inside the boxes during the shipment.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the thermal gradients between the container environment and the interior of chick boxes and mean surface temperature of broiler chicks during transportation on different shipments. The research was conducted in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with the accompaniment of nine shipments with different density boxes, using an acclimatized truck with an average capacity of 380 boxes. It was selected 14 chick transportation boxes on each shipment and, subsequently, five chicks per box. It was measured the mean surface temperature of chicks (MST) in shipment (loading and unloading) by using an infrared thermometer. In the container microclimate assessment (center and inside chick boxes), it was recorded the air temperature (T), relative humidity (RH) and specific enthalpy (h). For this, 17 data loggers were placed one per box (14) and three along the container. The experimental design was the completely randomized in a 9 × 2 factorial scheme. It was found that there are two microclimates in the chick loads, being the highest averages of T, RH and h observed inside boxes. The highest values of MST occurred during the unloading of chicks. It was also observed that the chicks have undergone thermal stress during transportation.

RESUMOPropôs-se avaliar a influência das condições microclimáticas do tempo de espera na sala de pintos do incubatório sobre a qualidade final dos pintos de um dia, oriundos de matrizes de diferentes idades. Foi mensurada a massa de 1440 ovos férteis, divididos em três lotes de 480 ovos cada um referentes às idades de matrizes (46, 54 e 64 semanas). Após o nascimento os pintos foram selecionados, sexados e subdivididos nas três idades de matrizes e em três tempos de espera (0, 14 e 28 h). Também foram instalados dataloggers na sala de espera e nas caixas de pintos para o monitoramento da temperatura do ar, umidade relativa e entalpia específica. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 x 3 x 3 com 50 repetições. As variáveis respostas analisadas foram: massa corporal dos pintos, temperatura cloacal, temperatura superficial média e frequência respiratória. O tempo de espera e as condições microclimáticas da sala de pintos do incubatório influenciaram no conforto térmico dos pintos. O melhor tempo de espera dos pintos foi o de 0 h. O maior percentual de perda de massa dos pintos devido ao tempo de espera foi observado nos pintos oriundos de matrizes com 54 semanas de idade.

ABSTRACTIt is proposed to evaluate the influence of microclimatic conditions of the lairage time in the hatchery chicks room on the final quality of one day-old chicks, that came from different ages of breeders. The mass of 1440 fertile eggs was divided into three batches of 480 eggs each, according to the age of breeders (46, 54 and 64 weeks). After birth, the chicks were selected, sexed and divided into the three ages of breeders and three lairage times (0, 14 and 28 h). Dataloggers were also installed in the lairage room and in the chick’s boxes to monitor the air temperature, relative humidity, specific enthalpy. A completely randomized design was used in factorial scheme of 2 x 3 x 3 with 50 repetitions. The analysed response variables were: body mass of chicks, cloacal temperature, average surface temperature and respiratory rate. The lairage time and the microclimatic conditions of the hatchery chick’s room influenced the thermal comfort of the chicks. The best lairage time was 0 h. The highest percentage of weight loss due to the lairage time was observed in chicks from breeders with 54 weeks of age.

Objetivou-se, com esta pesquisa, avaliar o perfil térmico do caminhão conteiner com diferentes níveis de posicionamento de caixas durante o transporte de pintos de um dia. A pesquisa foi realizada no Brasil, por meio do acompanhamento de 11 cargas de transporte. Foi utilizado um caminhão climatizado com capacidade para 630 caixas de pintos, totalizando uma carga de 63.000 pintos de um dia. A avaliação térmica do ambiente da carga foi realizada em intervalos de 5 min por meio do registro das variáveis térmicas temperatura, umidade relativa e entalpia específica. Os tratamentos foram registrados em dois níveis de carga (primeira prateleira e piso) em que foram utilizados 17 dataloggers distribuídos ao longo da carroceria. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente aleatorizado enquanto a análise da estatística foi realizada por meio de modelagem geoestatística Krigagem. Por meio dos resultados observou-se que as condições microclimáticas do caminhão estiveram abaixo das faixas ideais comprovando desuniformidade térmica no ambiente. O nível de posicionamento das caixas do piso obteve os valores médios mais próximos das faixas ideais para as condições de transporte. As piores regiões para o transporte de pintos foram localizadas na frente e no centro da carga.

The aim of this study was to assess the thermal profile of truck with different levels of box placement during one day-old chicks transport. An experiment was conducted through monitoring of 11 transport loads. A acclimatized truck was used in this research, with maximum capacity of 630 one day-old chicks boxes, totalizing 63,000 animals. The assessment of thermal environment was performed in 5 min intervals, through the following variables: temperature, relative humidity and specific enthalpy. The treatments were registered at two levels of the load (first rack and floor) where 17 data loggers were distributed throughout the truck. The experiment used a completely randomized design and geostatistics was used for spatial dependency and Kriging interpolation. The microclimatic conditions of the truck were not as per recommended values, which confirm a heterogeneous distribution of heat and moisture in environment. Regarding the box positioning, the mean values of thermal variables associated with thermal comfort of one day-old chicks was found in the floor area. The most stressful environment for birds inside the truck was located in front and at the center of the truck.

As vibrações e os choques mecânicos que ocorrem durante o transporte de pintos, podem atuar como agente estressor, afetando a vida das aves. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o transporte de pintos de um dia em diferentes estradas por meio dos níveis de vibração e choques ocorrentes nos caminhões. A pesquisa foi conduzida na empresa integradora avícola no estado de São Paulo, com o acompanhamento de 11 carregamentos de pintos. Um caminhão climatizado do tipo contêiner foi utilizado, com capacidade para 630 caixas de pintos totalizando em média 63.000 pintos. As avaliações dos níveis de vibração (m s-2) e choques nas estradas de terra e asfalto foram registradas por meio de três acelerômetros triaxiais. Para o nível de vibração e o número de choques o delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente aleatorizado em esquema fatorial 11 x 2. Por meio dos resultados pode-se concluir que os piores níveis de vibração (vertical, horizontal e aceleração geral) ocorreram na estrada de terra, com valores médios de 2,2, 3,3 e 25,8 m s-2, respectivamente. As maiores quantidades de choques ocorreram para todos os deslocamentos de cargas (vertical, lateral direita à esquerda e horizontal) foram verificadas na estrada de asfalto, valores médios de 453, 52 e 554 choques, respectivamente.

The vibration and mechanical shocks that occur during the transport of chicks may act as a stressor, affecting bird’s life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transport of one day-old chicks on different roads, through the vibration and shock occurring in trucks. The research was conducted in the poultry integrator company in the state of São Paulo, through the monitoring of 11 shipments of chicks. An air-conditioned truck (container type) was used, with a capacity of 630 boxes of chicks, totaling an average of 63,000 chicks. The vibration levels (m s-2) and shocks on the dirt and asphalt roads were recorded using three triaxial accelerometers. For the vibration level and the number of shocks, the experimental design was completely randomized in an 11 x 2 factorial. With the results it can be concluded that the worst vibration levels (vertical, horizontal and general acceleration) occurred on the dirt road, with mean values of 2.2, 3.3 and 25.8 m s-2, respectively. The largest amounts of shocks occurred for all shifts loads (vertical, horizontal left and right side) were observed on the asphalt road with average values of 453, 52 and 554 shocks, respectively.

Objetivou-se, com este estudo, avaliar os perfis térmicos de caminhões baús utilizados para o transporte de ovos férteis e pintos de um dia. A pesquisa foi realizada em uma integradora comercial de frangos de corte, no estado de São Paulo. Os períodos experimentais foram de três meses acompanhando 6 carregamentos de ovos e 11 carregamentos de pintos. Foram realizadas avaliações dos perfis térmicos dos caminhões de transporte de ovos férteis e pintos de um dia, do tipo baú, apresentando as seguintes dimensões: 7,5 x 2,6 x 2,5 m para os ovos e 8 x 2,5 x 2,5 m para os pintos os quais eram climatizados. As capacidades máximas de transportes foram de aproximadamente 592 caixas de ovos e 630 caixas de pintos, distribuídas na área da carroceria. As avaliações dos perfis térmicos dos baús foram realizadas em intervalos de 5 min para os ovos e 10 min para os pintos por meio dos registros das variáveis térmicas: temperatura, umidade relativa e entalpia específica. A análise estatística foi realizada através da modelagem geoestatística (krigagem). Com base nos resultados verificou-se que a climatização dos caminhões baús avaliados foi deficiente. Os condicionamentos térmicos das cargas estiveram totalmente fora das condições ideais apresentando grandes variações térmicas ao longo dos baús transportadores.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the thermal profiles of trucks used for transporting fertile eggs and day-old chicks. This study was carried out in a broiler hatchery in the State of Sao Paulo. The experiment was conducted during three months, in which six egg loads and 11 chick loads were observed. Thermal profile assessments were performed in an environmental controlled trucks with thermal control and following dimensions: 7.5 x 2.6 x 2.5 m for eggs, and 8.0 x 2.5 x 2.5 m for chicks. The maximum transport capacities were approximately of 592 boxes of eggs and 630 boxes of chicks, distributed all over the lorry. The thermal profiles were assessed at five-minutes-interval for eggs and in ten-minutes-interval for chicks, using thermal variables such as temperature, relative humidity and specific enthalpy. Geostatistics was used to model spatial dependency (by kriging). The results showed that the acclimatization in trucks was deficient. The loads were found to be submitted to an incompatible temperature, showing a huge thermal variety in the body trucks.

Objetivou-se, com esta pesquisa, avaliar as condições microclimáticas da sala de ovos e sua influência na perda de água dos ovos férteis em função das diferentes idades de matrizes e tempos de estocagem. A sala de ovos apresentava as seguintes dimensões: 15 x 9,90 x 2,8 m, climatizada por quatro aparelhos de ar condicionados. Foram selecionadas três diferentes idades de matrizes e três intervalos de tempo de estocagem. Quando as aves atingiam as três idades eram coletados 1440 ovos, foram coletados a massa (kg) de 140 ovos individualizados de cada tratamento, durante sua entrada e saída da sala utilizando-se uma balança semianalítica para avaliação da perda de água dos ovos. A avaliação microclimática da sala foi realizada em intervalos de 10 min. por meio do registro de temperatura (°C), umidade relativa (%) e entalpia específica (kJ kg-1 de ar seco) utilizando-se 19 dataloggers. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente aleatorizado com esquema fatorial 3 x 3. As condições microclimáticas da sala se mantiveram acima da faixa ideal e o verão foi o período mais quente. Os ovos oriundos de matrizes velhas e intermediárias com o tempo de estocagem de 50-52 h apresentaram as maiores perdas de água.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microclimatic conditions of the egg room and its influence on water loss in fertile eggs in relation to different ages of breeders and storage time. The egg room, which had 4 air conditioners, presented the following dimensions: 15 x 9.90 x 2.8 m. Three breeders of different age and three intervals of storage time were selected. By the time the birds reached the age, 1440 eggs were collected. Also, a mass in kg of 140 eggs of each treatment was determined using a semi-analytical balance in order to evaluate the water loss in the eggs. The microclimatic assessment of the room was performed at intervals of 10 min. by registering the temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), and enthalpy (kg kJ-1 dry air) using 19 dataloggers. The experimental delineation used was completely randomized with factorial scheme 3 x 3. The microclimatic conditions of the room were above the ideal range, where summer was the hottest period. The eggs originated from old and breeders of intermediate age with storage time of 50-52 hours presented the highest water loss.

As vibrações mecânicas, presentes no transporte de cargas vivas, podem comprometer a estabilidade fisiológica e o futuro desempenho dos animais de produção. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar, por meio de simulações, o efeito de dois níveis de aceleração (9,64 e 15,19 m s-2) sobre o estresse e o desempenho de pintos de corte de um dia. As vibrações foram simuladas utilizando-se um agitador mecânico e as intensidades de vibração estudadas por valores de aceleração geral. O período de simulação durou duas horas para cada tratamento e as aves tiveram seus parâmetros (diferença de peso; frequência respiratória e desempenho na primeira semana) comparados a grupos-controle (sem vibração). Realizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em que os resultados obtidos indicaram que esses níveis não influenciaram significativamente (p < 0,05) na diferença de peso nem no desempenho na primeira semana de vida; entretanto, os pintos submetidos à aceleração de 15,19 m s-2 obtiveram um aumento significativo (p < 0,05) na frequência respiratória (54,33 mov min-1) concluindo-se, assim, que as vibrações podem atuar como potencial estressor no transporte dessas aves.

Mechanical vibrations present in transporting live loads can impair physiologic stability and the future performance of livestock. The aim of this study was to evaluate, using simulations, the effect of two levels of vibration (9.64 and 15.19 m s-2) in stress responses and performance of day-old chicken. The vibrations were simulated by means of a shaking machine and studied by general acceleration values. The simulation period lasted two hours for each treatment and the birds had their parameters (difference in weight, respiratory rate, and performance in the first week) compared to control groups (without vibration). The experiment was conducted in a randomized design and the results showed that these levels did not differ significantly (p < 0.05) in weight and performance in the first week of life. However, chicks subjected to acceleration of 15.19 m s-2 achieved a significant increase (p < 0.05) in respiratory rate (54.33 mov min-1), thus concluding that the vibrations may act as a potential stressor during transport of these birds.

Propôs-se, com esta pesquisa, avaliar a influência de diferentes idades das matrizes e tempos de estocagem no número de ovos trincados durante a operação de transporte em diferentes estradas. A pesquisa foi conduzida na empresa integradora avícola em Mogi-Mirim - SP, por meio do acompanhamento de três carregamentos em diferentes estações do ano (primavera, verão e outono). Foi utilizado um caminhão climatizado do tipo baú com capacidade para 592 caixas de ovos. Foram registrados, por meio de quatro acelerômetros, os níveis de vibração (m s-2) e choques em percursos realizados nas estradas de terra e asfalto. O número de ovos trincados foi obtido por meio da contabilização de 18 caixas de ovos transportadas que apresentavam três idades de matrizes e três tempos de estocagem, pelo método visual. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental inteiramente aleatorizado com esquema fatorial 3 x 3. Conclui-se que as matrizes velhas e intermediárias apresentaram o maior número de ovos trincados; os maiores níveis de vibração e choques da carga ocorreram no sentido horizontal enquanto a estrada de asfalto ofereceu as piores condições para o transporte de ovos.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of age of breeder hens and storage periods on number of cracked eggs during transportation on different types of roads. The study was conducted in a poultry farm located in Mogi-Mirim, State of São Paulo, Brazil, through tracking of three loads in different seasons of the year (spring, summer and autumn). An environmentally controlled truck was used, with total capacity of 592 egg boxes. Vibration levels (m s-2) and shocks during asphalt and land track were registered by accelerometers (n = 4). The number of cracked eggs was obtained through visual accounting of 18 egg boxes, which showed three breeder ages and three storage periods. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted, with a 3 x 3 factorial design. It is concluded that old and intermediate broiler breeders showed a higher number of cracked eggs. The higher vibration levels and load shocks were observed towards horizontally. The asphalt road offered harsh conditions for egg transportation.