Daily variations in the thermoregulatory behaviors of naked neck broilers in an equatorial semi-arid environment.

Autor: de Queiroz JP; Department of Animal Science, Rural Federal University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró Campus, 59625-900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil, jp.fernandes@yahoo.com.br., de Souza JB Jr, de Lima HF, de Oliveira Costa MK, de Macedo Costa LL, de Arruda AM
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: International journal of biometeorology [Int J Biometeorol] 2014 Aug; Vol. 58 (6), pp. 1259-64. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Sep 01.
DOI: 10.1007/s00484-013-0721-4
Abstrakt: The aim of this study was to evaluate the daily variations in the thermoregulatory behavior of 4- to 6-week-old naked neck broilers (Label Rouge) in an equatorial semi-arid environment. A total of 220 birds were monitored for 5 days starting at 0600 hours and ending at 1800 hours. The period of observation was divided into classes of hours (C H). The observed behaviors were as follows: feed and water intake, wing-spreading, sitting or lying, and beak-opening. A total of 14,300 behavioral data values were registered. In C H 2 (0900 hours to 1100 hours) and 3 (1200 hours to 1500 hours), the greatest average body surface temperature was recorded (34.67 ± 0.25 °C and 35.12 ± 0.22 °C, respectively). The C H had an effect on the exhibition of all behaviors with the exception of the water intake behavior. Feed intake was more frequent in C H 1 (0600 hours to 0800 hours) and 4 (1600 hours to 1800 hours). In C H 2 and 3, the highest frequency of sitting or lying behavior was observed. Beak-opening and wing-spreading behaviors occurred more frequently in C H 3 where the body surface temperature (35.12 ± 0.22 °C), radiant heat load (519.38 ± 2.22 W m(-2)), and enthalpy (82.74 ± 0.36 kJ kg(-1) of dry air) reached maximum recorded averages. Thus, it can be concluded that naked neck broilers adjust their behavior in response to daily variations in the thermal environment. Wing-spreading and beak-opening behaviors are important adaptive responses to the thermal challenges posed by the equatorial semi-arid environment.
Databáze: MEDLINE
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