One hundred and eighty male Ross 1-d chicks averaging initial weight of 43.0 ± 0.2 g were used to evaluate the effects of different environments on performance and carcass characteristics. The experiment was analyzed as a completely randomized design with three environments (thermal comfort, dry heat and wet heat), six replicates of ten birds per experimental unity reared from 1 to 49 days old. Diets and water were fed ad libitum. The temperature and relative humidity control in each environment were measured by dry bulb and black globe thermometers. The values obtained were converted in a single value Black Globe Humidity and Temperature Index (BGHI) to characterize the environment. The temperatures that characterize the comfort, dry heat and wet heat were respectively: 25.1 ± 2.99, 35.0 ± 0.14, 31.2 ± 1.82ºC. The relative humidity recorded in dry and wet heat environments were respectively 40 and 75%. Feed intake, weight gain, feed:gain ratio in the periods from 1 to 21, 1 to 41 and 1 to 49 days of old were evaluated. In the end of the experiment, the birds were slaughtered for evaluation of absolute weights of noble cuts (thigh, drumstick and breast) and carcass yield. It was observed negative effect of heat environment on feed intake and weight gain in all periods and it was higher in birds on wet heat environment. Heat also influenced negatively absolute weights of thigh, drumstick and breast of birds. It was concluded that high temperatures impair the performance and yield of noble cuts of birds from 1 to 49 days old; in fact, these effects were higher with the greatest air relative humidity.
birds; carcass; environment; heat
