Poultry housing is needed because modern chickens have fast growth rates and high egg production, making it difficult for them to regulate their body temperature in extreme environments. The body temperature of adult chickens is between 105-107°F, while newly hatched chicks have a temperature of about 103°F. Panting is one mechanism chickens use to maintain their body temperature when heat cannot be dissipated through other means. Proper ventilation and environmental controls are necessary in poultry housing to keep chickens comfortable and productive.

1. 1

2. 2

3. Why do we need Poultry Housing?
 Chickens being warm blooded can maintain internal
body temperature (homeostasis).
 Since modern genetically evolved birds have a very
fast growth rate and increased egg production, they
also need modern housing as they cannot adjust well
to extremities.
3

4. 4

5. Controlling Body temperature
 The internal body temperature of birds varies than
mammals so there is no absolute body temperature in
birds.
 The body temperature of adult chicken is between
105O
F to 107O
F or 40.6o
C to 40.7o
C
 Body temperature of newly hatched chick is about
103O
F(39.7o
C ) and increases daily until it reaches a
stable level at 3 weeks of age.
5

6. Continued
 Smaller breeds have higher body temperature.
 Male chickens have slightly higher body
temperatures than females, due to higher muscle
mass and metabolic rate.
 Activity increases the body temperature birds on
floor have a higher body temperature as compared
to birds in cages.
6

7. Continued
 Molting birds have a higher body temperature than
feathered birds
 When feed enters the digestive tract birds body
temperature also increases
 Broody hens have a higher body temperature than
non-broody hens.
7

8. 8

9. Continued
 Body temperature increases with increasing
light intensity.
 There is a tendency for the core body
temperature to rise as the temperature goes
above or below the thermo neutral zone that is
(65-75O
F/18-24o
C)
9

10. Heat Losses from the body
 Heat is lost by the bird by the following
methods:
 Sensible heat
 Radiation
 Conduction
 Convection
 Fecal excretion
 Egg Production
 Latent Heat
10

11. Lethal Body temperature
 When the heat produced by the birds is greater
than the heat lost then the core body temperature
of the bird will rise beyond it’s with stand capability
and it will die of heat prostration.
 Upper lethal temperature is: 116.8O
F/ 47o
C
11

12. Mechanism Principle
 Heat is lost through the skin in chickens.
 When the outside temperature increases the blood
vessels of the skin dilate to increase heat loss and
when the outside temperature decreases the blood
vessels constrict to minimize heat loss.
12

13. Mechanisms to maintain body temperature
 Panting: when heat cannot be dissipated by
radiation, convection and conduction then the
birds adopt the way of panting.
 This brings the outside air in contact with the
membranes of the respiratory system. Heat is
lost by the water vapor lost as hot air removes
the moisture from the membranes.
13

14. 14

15. Continued..
 Continuous panting causes dehydration and birds drink excess of
water. The surplus is excreted in droppings.
 Panting will start at 29.4O
C at 50% humidity
 High temperatures and high humidity can be lethal for the birds.
As the ambient temperature is high it will pant but due to high
humidity adequate moisture is not lost as a result the body
temperature will rise and death may occur.
 Proper ventilation must be done to ensure the comfort of the
bird.
15

16. Continued..
 As temperature increases feed consumption decreases
and as temperature decreases feed consumption
increases. In season of high temperatures proper and
maximum ventilation should be done to ensure good
feed intake.
 As temperature rises bird activity also decreases as
birds rest to minimize heat production. Similarly when
temperature lowers, activity increases to ensure heat
production.
16

17. Heat Gain and Loss in Poultry house
 Good poultry housing is designed to alleviate extremes in
environmental conditions and thus to ensure that birds
are comfortable and productive.
 Heat is measured in British Thermal Units(btu). One btu is
the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of
1lb of water by 1O
F at 59O
F.(1lb = 0.45kg)
 To ensure proper housing all the aspects of heat gain and
loss must be ensured through proper ventilation and the
selection of proper materials.
17

18. Water Production and Loss
 The amount of water consumed depends on
 body weight
 bird type
 salt levels in the diet
 ambient temperature
 relative humidity(RH)
 Water is lost by the bird through panting and in case
of laying hens through eggs.
18

19. Continued..
 At 21o
C/70o
F and 60% RH the amount lost through respiration
equals the amount lost through fecal excretion for a 1.8kg bird.
 At 21o
C/70o
F birds will consume twice the water as compared to
feed.
 As the age of the bird increases so does the moisture content in
the fecal.
19

20. Environment
 Poultry house should be designed in a place where
both the outside as well as the inside environment are
conducive to the well being of the staff and the flock.
 Generally the considerations should be:
1. Isolate places for good bio security: not to isolated.
2. Near a village
3. Away from heavy industrial setup
4. Basic infrastructure facilities should be there.
5. Distant from nearby poultry farms.
20

21. 21

22. Summary
 Body temperature of adult chicken is between 105O
F
to 107O
F
 Body temperature of newly DOC is about 103O
F
 Panting is used to maintain the body temperature
when bird cannot dissipate heat through conduction,
convention and radiation
 Water is lost by the bird through panting and in case
of laying hens through eggs
 Proper environment and ventilation should be
provided to the bird to ensure its comfort.
22

23. 23