Chapter 7 - Economic Importance of Ventilation

Changes in the modern broiler chicken have increased the importance of in-house environmental conditions. In response to market requirements, geneticists have raised growth rate as well as the yield of the carcass components. The extra meat yield in these broilers, most of which is concentrated in the breast, makes the broiler more sensitive to high temperatures, ammonia, and dust. As a result, much of the difference in performance of broiler flocks can be attributed to how well the in-house environmental conditions are managed, especially temperature and air quality.

The main objective of the broiler industry is the production of SALEABLE chicken meat. To this end, it is important to maintain a healthy environment in the poultry house. Problems maintaining the correct environment, in terms of temperature and air quality, will adversely affect broiler health, live weight, feed conversion, carcass quality, and carcass yield, all factors which adversely affect the grower’s bottom-line and could be the difference between a below average and a high performing flock.

Modern broiler genetic lines have been selected for growth rate, most of which is determined by the broiler’s desire to eat. If temperatures are too high, broilers will not eat as much as they could or will not eat at all. Thus, managing in-house conditions to realize the genetic potential of broilers is largely a function of optimizing the ventilation system.