Prediction of broilers’ development in a naturally ventilated integrated poultry/fish building in a humid tropical environment

The physical environment of farm animals inside livestock buildings is primarily characterized by hygro-thermal parameters and air quality. These parameters are influenced by the interactions with outdoor situation on one hand, and the livestock, the ventilation system and the building on the other hand. Livestock housing must ultimately provide environmental conditions favourable to the preservation of animal health and welfare and, to the efficiency of animal production.In this study, micro-climate studies were carried out on an integrated poultry/fish husbandry and the response of the poultry birds to the environmental factors was carefully analysed. A model of the influence of environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, total heat energy and moisture produced by the birds as a result of metabolic activities and ventilation on the development of the birds was developed. The model was calibrated, evaluated and compared with measured values. The results showed that the birds recorded an increasing weight gain throughout the period of the study. The average weight gain during stocking to the end of the study varied from 0.7kg to about 6kg. There was no significant difference at 5% level in the average weight of the birds in the cages and this implied that the growth of birds in the cages was equal throughout the period of the study. The model has reasonable agreement with measured values.The model is a good engineering solution for prediction of poultry birds’ development based on environmental influence in a humid tropical environment.Keywords: integrated; fishery; poultry; droppings; pond; microclimate.