In present research the potential use of evaporative cooling systems (ECS) associated to tunnel ventilation system (TVS) for broiler reared in Southeastern Brazil was studied. Four configuration systems were tested: (a) TVS, (b) TVS associated to a pad cooling system with 40% efficiency (TVSPAD40), (c) TVS associated to a pad cooling system with 70% efficiency (TVSPAD70) and (d) TVSPAD70 associated to a misting system (TVSPAD70+MIST). Thermal environment was characterized by temperature-humidity index, and the chicken performance was estimated by daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion. Climatic data from 1980 to 2001, released through Reanalysis-2 Project from NCEP/NCAR were used in this research. The benefitial effect of the use of ECS with TVSPAD70+MIST for providing better production condition was verified, especially during September and October for almost all the southeastern region, mainly in northern and northwestern part of the Minas Gerais State.
fogging; thermal index; poultry
