ABSTRACT
For fowl to better express their genetic characteristics, they need to be in a favourable environment, since the mechanism for controlling body temperature is only efficient when the temperature of the environment is within certain limits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the internal environment of poultry sheds, measuring temperature and relative humidity to calculate the Enthalpy Comfort Index (ECI), as well as measuring the litter temperature, and the indoor luminosity and air velocity of the sheds to prepare kriging maps. Evaluations were made during the dry season, in the morning and afternoon, in two identical sheds, using precision tools. The data for litter temperature, luminosity and air velocity were analysed with geostatistics, and maps were then elaborated to show the spatial distribution profiles of the variables throughout the sheds. From the maps, it was possible to see that in some places the temperature of the litter displayed very high values, reaching 33.8 ºC by day 42 of shed use, a temperature that is considered high and that can hinder thermal exchange and generate thermal discomfort for the birds. The kriging maps also showed that the ventilation system did not distribute the wind evenly, and that the greatest average air velocity was 2.6 m s-1. These factors demonstrated the need for corrections to the shed environment, to improve the thermal comfort of the birds.
Key words:
Poultry farming; Environment; Geostatistics; Kriging
