INFLUENCE OF STOCKING DENSITY ON THE TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY OF BROILER CHICKEN PENS

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of stocking densities on the temperature and humidity of broiler pens during the wet season. Ninety day-old chicks of Arbor acre breed were used for the experiment which lasted 8 weeks. The birds were randomly assigned to three treatments of stocking densities 5, 10 and 15 birds/m2 with three replicates per treatment in a deep litter house. Data on daily ambient Temperature and Relative Humidity within the pen were obtained using the Maxims thermocron i-button Temperature and Humidity sensors, which were programmed to measure at 10 minutes sampling interval. Virtually no significance observed between the stocking densities in weekly mean temperature and relative humidity in the broiler chicken pens throughout the period of the study. Therefore, it is concluded that stocking density does not influence broiler chicken‘s ambient temperature and humidity.