Heat Requirements of Two Layer Strains Placed on Different Dates

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to calculate the heat requirements of Hy-line W-36 and Hy-line W-98 layer chicks placed on different dates, and to select one of these strains based on heat requirements and egg prices. An environmentally-controlled, mechanically-ventilated, and fan and pad-cooled house with a capacity of 94,500 chicks was designed. Based on the identification of September as the month with the highest egg prices, placement dates were selected (16^th of March, 1^st of April, 16^th of April, 23^rd of April and 1^st of May) to coincide with economic egg weight in that month. The heat requirements for a rearing period of 35days of both evaluated strains starting on the above-mentioned dates were calculated using heat and moisture balance method commonly used for livestock and poultry houses. Those placement dates corresponded to economic egg weight dates (with 50-52 g eggs) of 15^th of August, 1^st of September, 16^th of September, 23^rd of September and 1^st of October. Total heat requirements during the 35-day rearing periods of chicks placed on the identified dates were respectively calculated as 640, 601, 413, 401 and 369 kW/h for Hy-line W-36 and respectively as 778, 732, 551, 539 and 497 kW/h for Hy-line W-98 chicks. September had the highest egg prices for both strains (4.73 and 5.06 US cents/egg). The lowest heat requirement was observed when chicks were placed on the23^rd of April. Hy-line W-36 chicks presented higher total heat requirement than Hy-line W-98 chicks. Therefore, 23^rd of April as the most economic placement date and Hy-line W-36 as the most cost-effective layer strain.

Keywords:
Heat and moisture production; Heat balance; Temperature control; Thermoregulation; Weibull method

INTRODUCTION

Controlled-environment poultry houses are used for layers to achieve optimum yields, to rear more layers per unit of space and for better control of indoor climate conditions. In particular, young chicks are very susceptible to environmental conditions. The objective of environmental control is to maintain indoor temperatures, humidity, air movement, lighting, as well as gas, dust and odor emissions within the specified limits (Seedorf et al., 1998; Garcimartin et al., 2007). Environmental control is applied not only to maximize production, but also to minimize the stresses to which animals and workers are subjected inside the poultry house. Indoor environmental conditions significantly influence animal health, behavior, nutrition, heat and moisture generation, production efficiency and quality, human health, as well as the structural characteristics and costs of housing (Şekerden & Özkütük, 1991).

Hen egg yield potential is achieved when optimal environmental conditions provided during the rearing and egg production stages, as well as sufficient nutrition and specific management practices (Çolak, 2006). In order to achieve high yield in livestock or poultry operations, either the proper environmental conditions should be supplied for specific genotypes or the genotypes suitable for available conditions should be selected. Different animal species and strains have different adaptation capacities to climate conditions. In other words, animals with different genetics may have different reactions in a specific environment (Sağgöz, 1997).

Temperature and relative humidity are the most significant environmental parameters for chicks. Since feathering is still not well developed during the first weeks of age and poultry do not have sweat glands, temperature is the most significant environmental factor for chick survival. Depending on the strain, feathering development commonly occurs between 3-6 weeks of age (Peitz, 2007). As chicks are not able to maintain their body temperature, they need to be provided with high temperatures and balanced and protein-rich diets during that period (Maton et al., 1985; Von Wachenfelt et al., 2001; Peıtz, 2007; Ugwuishiwu et al., 2014). Optimal indoor temperature should be between 32-38^oC during the first weeks of rearing, and then reduced to 15-25 ^oC after5 weeks of age (FASS, 2010). Initial temperatures of 32-35^oC were recommended by Wathes & Charles (1994) and of 32^oC by Şenköylü (2001).These temperatures are reduced by 2.5-3^oC per week to reach 15-18^oC in the fifth week. The initial temperatures in the first three days of life of Hy-line W-36 (white) and Hy-line W-98 (brown) commercial layer chicks should be 32-33^oC and 33-36^oC, respectively, and should be reduced by 2-3^oC per week to 21^oC at the end of the fifth week, according to Hy-Line (2012-2016). Lindley & Whitaker (1996) indicated that the initial indoor temperature of 35^oC should gradually be reduced to 24^oC during first two weeks.

Relative humidity should be between 40-60% for layer chicks. The relative humidity should be around 60% during the first days and then should be reduced to minimum 40% (Hy-Line 2012-2016). A relative humidity of about 50-60% should be supplied to chicks to allow for sufficient and timely feathering (Şenköylü, 2001). Low relative humidity levels may result in excessive water loss and respiratory diseases in chicks (Türkoğlu & Sarıca, 2009). Relative humidity levels below 30% increase discomfort and aggression in animals. On the other hand, excessive relative humidity results in wet litter, increased ammonia concentrations, poor air quality and intestinal diseases (Hy-Line, 2012; Uğurlu & Kara, 2002).

Since poultry are homeothermic creatures, they can maintain their body temperature constant for a long time despite large fluctuations in ambient temperature. The heat generation of animals fed feeds of adequate energy content is almost constant and the temperature interval created by heat generation is called as thermoneutral zone (CIGR, 1984). When animals are maintained in this age-dependent zone, metabolic heat generation and energy consumption are low, and the animals do not use any energy for heat loss or gain, and therefore, are more efficient in terms of production. When the body temperature of animals is within the thermoneutral zone, they utilize the energy obtained from the diet for growth, reproduction and development of immune system (Daghir, 2008). When the temperature is below the thermoneutral temperature, animals use dietary energy for heat generation rather than for growth and development, and increase their feed consumption. The extra energy is used to regulate body temperature instead of being used to gain weight (Hurwitz & Bengal, 1982; Scott et al., 1983; Yahav et al., 1996). Henken et al. (1983) carried out a physiology study with 3- to 6-week-old turkeys and reported 12.9% and 10.5% higher feed intake at environmental temperatures of 15^oC and between 10-20^oC, respectively, than at 25^oC. At low temperatures, animals try to reduce their body surface area and respiration rate, increase their motion, and group together. In addition, low temperatures cause continuous muscle contractions and trembling in animals (Demirören, 2007).

It is essential to keep indoor temperatures within the thermoneutral zone for optimal chick growth and comfort. Therefore, chicks require rearing until a certain age. Heat requirements and egg prices should be taken into consideration to identify the best rearing seasons and to select the proper strains.

The objective of this study was to determine the indoor heat requirements during a 35-day rearing period of Hy-line W-36 and Hy-line W-98 layer chicks placed on different dates. Based on heat requirements and egg prices paid to the producer, estimated values were used to identify the most cost-effective rearing period and strain for egg production.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

It was assumed that Hy-line W-36 and Hy-line W-98 chicks were grown in rearing houses for 17 weeks and then transferred to laying houses (Şenköylü, 2001; Hy-line, 2016a), reaching 50-52 g egg weight at 20weeks of age. Monthly egg prices (between the years 2010-2015) paid to producers for white and brown eggs were calculated based on the white and brown egg prices on different days of the month obtained from the records of Egg Producers Central Association (Yum-Bir, 2017b). Following the identification of September as the month with the highest egg prices, the dates of placement were determined to achieve egg production in this month as 16^th of March, 1^st of April, 16^th of April, 23^rd of April, and 1^st of May.

In order to determine the heat requirements of Hy-line W-36 and Hy-line W-98 laying strains, an environmentally-controlled, mechanically-ventilated, fan-pad cooled rearing house with a capacity of 94,500 chicks was designed. The house was 82-m long, 15-m wide (Şenköylü, 1991), 4-m high. Chicks were placed in groups of 30 chicks each in 120x67-cm cages (Güres Teknoloji, 2017). Five-story cages were arranged in five rows (1.7-m wide rows) with 1.0-m spacing (Figure 1). It was assumed that Hy-line W-36 and Hy-line W-98 layer chicks would be placed on the 16^th of March, 1^st of April, 16^th of April, 23^rd of April and 1^st of May and that the housed would be heated for 35 days.

Figure 1
Cross-section of the rearing house.

In rearing house, a 268-cm² cage area was allocated to each chick (Güdar Yem, 2011; Hy-line, 2012). Total ventilation opening size was 13% of total floor area (Öneş & Olgun, 1989). The angle of gable roof was 10^o (Ekmekyapar, 1993; İzocam-Tekiz, 2016). Polyurethane-insulated galvanized sandwich panels (5-cm thick) with 40-42 kg/m² density and 0.022 W/m^2oC heat transfer coefficient were used in the roof and walls of the house (İzocam-Tekiz, 2016, Panelsan, 2016). The heat transfer coefficient of the PVC door and pad caps was 5 W/m^2oC, and of the 1-mmthick fan caps was 5.82 W/m^2oC (Table 1) (Şahin & Ünal, 2005).

Table 1
Heat transfer coefficient and surface areas of structural members of the designed house

Structural Members	Materials	Heat Transfer Coefficient (U) (w/m2oC)	Surface Areas of Structural Members (m2)
Roof	Polyurethane-insulated 3-5 trapezoidal galvanized sandwich panels	0.022	1248.04
Door	2 (1.9x2.0m) PVC doors	5.00	7.60
Pad	Over 2 sidewalls, 2x(1.5x42m) PVC-capped 126 m2 pad	5.00	126.00
Wall	Polyurethane-insulated blind screw galvanized sandwich panel	0.022	626.92
Fan	Over back wall, 18 fans (1.4x1.4 m) with 1 mm metal caps	5.82	35.28

The following heat balance equations were used to calculate the heat requirements of chicks on days 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 35 (Lindley & Whitaker, 1996; Öztürk, 2003; Gençoğlan & Başpınar, 2016).

$Qm³\ge \le q_s+q_v\mathrm{.................................................................................................................}$ (1)

Where Qm: sensible heat released by the chicks to ambient (W), q_s: total heat loss through structural members (roof, wall, door, fan, pad) (W), q_v: heat loss through ventilation (W).

Heat balance is not always achieved with this equation. If Qm<q_s+ q_v, there is a heat deficit. Either heat losses should be prevented or extra heat should be provided to bring the heat balance to an optimum level. If Qm>q_s + q_v, then there is overheating. In this case, excess heat can be removed through ventilation.

Heat loss through the structural members (q_y) was calculated by using the following equation:

$q_y=\Sigma U.A.Dt\mathrm{................................................................................................................}$ (2)

Where ∑U: total heat transfer coefficient of structural members (W/m^{2 o}C), A: surface area of structural members (m²), Δt =ti - to, where ti is indoor and to is outdoor temperature (^oC).

Total heat transfer coefficient of structural members (U) was calculated by using the following equation:

$U=\frac{1}{\frac{1}{fi}+{\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^n\frac{di}{ki}+\frac{1}{fo}}}\mathrm{......................................................}$ (3)

Where fi and fo: surface heat transfer coefficient of the inner and outer surfaces (conductance) (W/m^{2 o}C), d (m) and k (W/m^oC) are, respectively, structural member thickness and heat transmission coefficient (conductivity).

Heat loss through ventilation from the layer chick rearing house was calculated by the following equation:

$qv=0.341*Q*Dt\dots \dots \dots \dots \mathrm{...}\dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \dots \mathrm{....}$ (4)

Where qv: heat loss through ventilation (W), 0.341 is the amount of heat required to increase temperature of 1 m³of air by 1 ^oC (W.h/m^3oC), Q: minimum air flow rate (m³/h), Δt = ti-to, where ti is indoor and to is outdoor temperature (^oC).

Ventilation applied to control humidity should be based on moisture balance. The minimum air flow rate, Q (m³/h), required to maintain the indoor moisture constant within the design criteria for the layer chick rearing house was calculated by the following equation (Timmons & Gates, 1987; Albright, 1990; ASAE, 1994).

$Q=\frac{\Sigma wa}{qi-qo}\mathrm{......................................................}$ (5)

Where $\Sigma wa$: total amount of water vapor released by chicks (g/h), qi-qo: absolute humidity of indoor and outdoor air (g/m³).

For heat and moisture balance calculations of the poultry house, long-term (1980-2016) monthly average temperature and the relative humidity values of Kahramanmaraş province were taken into consideration (Figure 2). Long-term climate data were subjected to Weibull distribution to determine temperature and relative humidity values at 80% probability for the evaluated rearing seasons, including March-April-May-June (Tülücü, 1988).

Figure 2
Long-term monthly average temperature and relative humidity values

In order to calculate heat and moisture balance, indoor temperature and relative humidity values and weekly mortality rates were obtained from Hy-line, 2012and the genetic line manual (Hy-Line 2016), presented in Table 2, were used.

Table 2
Optimal temperature, relative humidity requirements and mortality rates of Hy-line W-36 and Hy-line W-98 during the first 35 days of life.

Environmental Factors	0-3 Days	4-7 Days	8-14 Days	15-21 Days	22-28 Days	29-35 Days
Hy-line W-36 strain
Temperature (oC)	32-33	30-32	28-30	26-28	23-26	21-23
Relative Humidity (%)	60	60	Min 40	Min 40	Min 40	Min 40
Mortality Rate (%)		1	1.5	1.6	1.7	1.8
Hy-line W-98 strain
Temperature (oC)	33-36	30-32	28-30	26-28	23-26	21-23
Relative Humidity (%)	60	60	Min 40	Min 40	Min 40	Min 40
Mortality Rate (%)		0.5	0.7	0.8	0.9	1

Since the rearing house was environment-controlled, mortality rates were generally assumed to increase from the 4^th day.The mortality rate of Hy-line W-36 hens ranged from 1% on days 4-7 to 1.8% ondays29-35. The mortality rate for Hy-line W-98 hens ranged from 0.5% on days 4-7 to 1% ondays29-35. Mortality numbers and dead animals were not included in the heat and moisture balance calculations. Number of dead birds on days 1,2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 35were respectively calculated as 10, 10, 460, 465, 467, 468, 468, 1474, 1541 and 1604 (a total of 6967 birds) for Hy-line W-36 and as 10, 10, 226, 226, 220, 219, 219, 747, 834 and 918 (a total of 3629 of birds) for Hy-line W-98. For a poultry house with a capacity of 94,500 chicks, number of surviving chicks was calculated as 87,533 for Hy-line W-36 and as 90,871 for Hy-line W-98.

According to Hy-line (2012-2016), indoor relative humidity was setat 60% for the first seven days and at 50% for the remaining experimental days. Relative humidity values are presented in Table 2.For heat requirement calculations of the two layer strains, indoor temperature values of 32.2, 31.1, 30, 28.9, 27.8, 25.6, 22.8 and 21.1 ^oC, specified in Chepete & Xin, (2004) and Chepete et al. (2004), were used and the heat released by chicks at these temperatures are presented in Table 3.

Table 3
Climate data used to provide indoor environmental conditions.

Days	Weight (kg)	Sensible Heat (w/kg)		Water Vapor Production (g/kg.h)		Temperature (oC)			Absolute Humidity (g/m3)
		W-36	W-98	W-36	W-98	Indoor (ti)	Outdoor (to)	Difference (ti-to)	Indoor (qi)	Outdoor (qo)	Difference (qi-qo)
Criteria used for the period started on 16th of March
1.	0.04	1.50	-2.40	8.67	18.96	32.20	12.40	19.80	20.59	7.20	13.39
2.	0.04	3.90	1.50	9.99	16.46	32.20	12.40	19.80	20.59	7.20	13.39
4.	0.06	4.00	2.80	13.08	19.98	31.10	12.40	18.70	19.38	7.20	12.18
6.	0.06	4.60	3.40	14.40	20.57	31.10	12.40	18.70	19.38	7.20	12.18
8.	0.07	5.80	4.70	13.96	18.66	30.00	12.40	17.60	15.13	7.20	7.93
10.	0.07	6.40	6.90	12.93	16.02	28.90	12.40	16.20	14.33	7.20	7.13
14.	0.09	7.40	7.10	11.90	12.64	27.80	12.40	15.40	13.53	7.20	6.33
21.	0.18	6.60	7.50	10.87	10.73	25.60	17.20	8.40	11.92	9.33	2.59
28.	0.27	6.40	7.00	8.82	8.82	22.80	17.20	5.60	10.23	9.33	0.90
35.	0.35	5.50	7.60	7.20	6.91	21.10	17.20	3.90	9.25	9.33	-0.08
Criteria used for the period started on 1st of April
1.	0.04	1.50	-2.40	8.67	18.96	32.20	17.20	15.00	20.59	9.33	11.26
2.	0.04	3.90	1.50	9.99	16.46	32.20	17.20	15.00	20.59	9.33	11.26
4.	0.06	4.00	2.80	13.08	19.98	31.10	17.20	13.90	19.38	9.33	10.05
6.	0.06	4.60	3.40	14.40	20.57	31.10	17.20	13.90	19.38	9.33	10.05
8.	0.07	5.80	4.70	13.96	18.66	30.00	17.20	12.80	15.13	9.33	5.80
10.	0.07	6.40	6.90	12.93	16.02	28.90	17.20	11.70	14.33	9.33	5.00
14.	0.09	7.40	7.10	11.90	12.64	27.80	17.20	10.60	13.53	9.33	4.20
21.	0.18	6.60	7.50	10.87	10.73	25.60	17.20	8.40	11.92	9.33	2.59
28.	0.27	6.40	7.00	8.82	8.82	22.80	17.20	5.60	10.23	9.33	0.90
35.	0.35	5.50	7.60	7.20	6.91	21.10	21.50	-0.40	9.25	11.13	-1.88
Criteria used for the period started on 16th of April
1.	0.04	1.50	-2.40	8.67	18.96	32.20	17.20	15.00	20.59	9.33	11.26
2.	0.04	3.90	1.50	9.99	16.46	32.20	17.20	15.00	20.59	9.33	11.26
4.	0.06	4.00	2.80	13.08	19.98	31.10	17.20	13.90	19.38	9.33	10.05
6.	0.06	4.60	3.40	14.40	20.57	31.10	17.20	13.90	19.38	9.33	10.05
8.	0.07	5.80	4.70	13.96	18.66	30.00	17.20	12.80	15.13	9.33	5.80
10.	0.07	6.40	6.90	12.93	16.02	28.90	17.20	11.70	14.33	9.33	5.00
14.	0.09	7.40	7.10	11.90	12.64	27.80	17.20	10.60	13.53	9.33	4.20
21.	0.18	6.60	7.50	10.87	10.73	25.60	21.50	4.10	11.92	11.13	0.79
28.	0.27	6.40	7.00	8.82	8.82	22.80	21.50	1.30	10.23	11.13	-0.90
35.	0.35	5.50	7.60	7.20	6.91	21.10	21.50	-0.40	9.25	11.13	-1.88
Criteria used for the period started on 23rd of April
1.	0.04	1.50	-2.40	8.67	18.96	32.20	17.20	15.00	20.59	9.33	11.26
2.	0.04	3.90	1.50	9.99	16.46	32.20	17.20	15.00	20.59	9.33	11.26
4.	0.06	4.00	2.80	13.08	19.98	31.10	17.20	13.90	19.38	9.33	10.05
6.	0.06	4.60	3.40	14.40	20.57	31.10	17.20	13.90	19.38	9.33	10.05
8.	0.07	5.80	4.70	13.96	18.66	30.00	21.50	8.50	15.13	11.13	4.00
10.	0.07	6.40	6.90	12.93	16.02	28.90	21.50	7.40	14.33	11.13	3.20
14.	0.09	7.40	7.10	11.90	12.64	27.80	21.50	6.30	13.53	11.13	2.39
21.	0.18	6.60	7.50	10.87	10.73	25.60	21.50	4.10	11.92	11.13	0.79
28.	0.27	6.40	7.00	8.82	8.82	22.80	21.50	1.30	10.23	11.13	-0.91
35.	0.35	5.50	7.60	7.20	6.91	21.10	21.50	-0.40	9.25	11.13	-1.88
Criteria used for the period started on 1st of May
1.	0.04	1.50	-2.40	8.67	18.96	32.20	21.50	10.70	20.59	11.13	9.46
2.	0.04	3.90	1.50	9.99	16.46	32.20	21.50	10.70	20.59	11.13	9.46
4.	0.06	4.00	2.80	13.08	19.98	31.10	21.50	9.60	19.38	11.13	8.24
6.	0.06	4.60	3.40	14.40	20.57	31.10	21.50	9.60	19.38	11.13	8.24
8.	0.07	5.80	4.70	13.96	18.66	30.00	21.50	8.50	15.13	11.13	4.00
10.	0.07	6.40	6.90	12.93	16.02	28.90	21.50	7.40	14.33	11.13	3.20
14.	0.09	7.40	7.10	11.90	12.64	27.80	21.50	6.30	13.53	11.13	2.39
21.	0.18	6.60	7.50	10.87	10.73	25.60	21.50	4.10	11.92	11.13	0.79
28.	0.27	6.40	7.00	8.82	8.82	22.80	21.50	1.30	10.23	11.13	-0.91
35.	0.35	5.50	7.60	7.20	6.91	21.10	27.10	-6.00	9.25	14.32	-5.07

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The indoor heat requirements up to 35 days of age of Hy-line W-36 and Hy-line W-98 layer chicks placed on five different dates (16^th of March, 1^st of April, 16^th of April, 23^rd of April, 1^st of May) were calculated. The most cost-effective rearing period was identified and one of the two strains was selected based on its heat requirements and producer average egg prices.

Analyses of the long-term climate data (1980-2016) revealed temperature values, at 80% probability, of 12.4, 17.2, 21.5 and 27.1 ^oC for March, April, May and June respectively, and relative humidity values of65.3, 63.2, 58.7 and 55%, respectively. Based on these outdoor temperature and relative humidity values, absolute humidity values were calculated. Absolute humidity values of 7.20, 9.33, 11.13 and 14.32 g/m³ were calculated for March, April, May and June, respectively (Table 3).

Rearing periods of Hy-line W-36 and Hy-line W-98 chicks started on 16^th of March, 1^st of April, 16^th of April, 23^rd of April and 1^st of May in a rearing house with a capacity of 94,500 chicks. Heat requirements were calculated using the heat balance method (Table 4). Negative values indicate heat deficit and positive values indicate heat excess. Heat deficits may be eliminated by extra heating and excessive heat may be removed by ventilation. Since Qm<q_s+q_v, extra heating was required during the first 28 days of the35-day rearing periods started on 16^th of March and 1^st of April, and during the first 21 days of the rearing periods started on 16^th of April, 23^rd of April and 1^st of May. On the other days, Qm>q_s+q_v and, therefore, ventilation was required. Total heat requirement (THR) of the16^th of March, 1^st of April, 16^th of April, 23^rd of April and 1^st of May periods were respectively calculated as 640, 601, 413, 401 and 369 kW/h for Hy-line W-36 and respectively as 778, 732, 551, 539 and 497 kW/h for Hy-line W-98. Heat requirements decreased with increasing outdoor temperatures and chick growth and ventilation was required after a certain period.

Table 4
Heat requirements for the first 35 days of age of Hy-line W-36 and W-98 placed on different dates.

Days	Strains
	Hy-line W-36					Hy-line W-98
	Start of Rearing					Start of Rearing
	16 March	1 April	16 April	23 April	1 May	16 March	1 April	16 April	23 April	1 May
1st Day	-29	-23	-23	-23	-17	-63	-55	-55	-55	-47
2nd Day	-22	-16	-16	-16	-10	-44	-36	-36	-36	-28
4th Day	-33	-25	-25	-25	-16	-61	-50	-50	-50	-38
6th Day	-34	-25	-25	-25	-15	-59	-48	-48	-48	-36
8th Day	-47	-42	-42	-36	-36	-78	-73	-73	-66	-66
10th Day	-40	-36	-36	-32	-32	-53	-49	-49	-44	-44
14th Day	-35	-33	-33	-33	-33	-43	-42	-42	-42	-42
21st Day	-96	-96	-212	-212	-212	-80	-80	-197	-197	-197
28th Day	-304	-304	256	256	256	-298	-298	279	279	279
35th Day	3985	185	185	185	185	4044	258	258	258	336
THR1	-640	-601	-413	-401	-369	-778	-732	-551	-539	-497

• ¹
  THR: total heat requirement.

Since both Hy-line W-36 and W-98 chicks placed on the 16^th of March and the 1^st of April required extra heating for 28 days, these dates were not considered for the determination of placement date. When Hy-line W-36 and W-98 chicks were placed on the 23^rd of April, their heat requirements in the first week were the same as that required when placed on the16^th of April. When placed on the 23^rd of April and reared until the 1^st of May, Hy-line W-36 and Hy-line W-98 heat requirements were, respectively 14.3% and 9.6% lower on day 8 and 11.1% and 10.2% lower on day 10 compared with those placed on the 16^th of April.

As can be inferred from Table 4, the total heat requirement of Hy-line W-98 chicks was higher than that of Hy-line W-36 chicks. The differences between Hy-line W-36 and Hy-line W-98 may be associated with differences in sensible heat value at 32.2 ^oC and heat requirement on the first three days. This result is consistent with Chepete & Xin (2004) and Chepete et al. (2004) and Hy-line, 2012.

The highest monthly average egg price (between the years of 2010-2015) was observed in September for both strains. Egg prices decreased from September to May, reached to the lowest prices between May and July and increased again till September (Figure3). Monthly average egg prices of Hy-line W-36 and W-98 strains in September were 4.73 and 5.06 US cents/egg, respectively.

Figure 3
Monthly average egg prices of Hy-line W-36 and Hy-line W-98 strains.

The starting days of the rearing periods to coincide with egg production in September (when the monthly average egg prices are the highest) were identified as the 1^st of April, 16^th of April and 23^rd of April. Total heat requirements for the relevant periods were respectively calculated as 601, 413 and 401 kW/h for Hy-line W-36 and as 732, 551 and 539 kW/h for Hy-line W-98 chicks. The rearing period starting on the 23^rdof April had the lowest total heat requirement for both strains (Table 4). Total heat requirements of Hy-line W-36 and W-98 placed on the 23^rd of April were respectively 2.9 and 2.2% lower than the heat requirement of those placed on the 16^th April. In addition, for chicks placed on the 16^thof April, the total heat requirement of Hy-line W-36 chicks was 25.6% lower that of Hy-line W-98 chicks.

It was concluded that, under the climate conditions of Kahramanmaraş province, as layer chicks placed on the 23^rd of April to start laying in September, when the highest monthly average egg prices are paid, present the lowest heat requirement, this is the best date to start rearing layer chicks. Considering the monthly average egg prices and heat requirements of the two evaluated strains, the Hy-line W-36 strain is the most cost-effective for egg production.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author thanks Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeki Gökalp (a Certified English Translator and an expert in Biosystems Engineering) for his critical reading and through syntactic corrections of the manuscript.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Jul-Sep 2018

History

• Received
  19 Jan 2018
• Accepted
  18 Feb 2018