AVN WEB DESK
With the advent of summers, a shift in humidity levels becomes imminent following a particularly damp winter and spring, making it necessary for poultry farmers to take measures to control humidity to preempt any challenges to their flocks to ensure sustainable productivity.
Vigilant monitoring of humidity levels is crucial to achieving an optimal environment for birds. Maintaining this delicate balance not only ensures consistent flock performance but also enhances feed conversion ratios, while potentially reducing long-term energy costs and mitigating health issues associated with poor humidity.
Managing conditions within poultry houses requires a careful management of heat, ventilation, and moisture levels. Excessive humidity can lead to damp bedding, a common cause of health issues in broiler systems. Moisture in the litter fosters the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, increasing the risk of poultry diseases such as footpad dermatitis.
To combat these pathogens effectively, it is crucial to understand the inverse relationship between temperature and humidity. As temperatures rise, air volume expands, enabling it to retain more moisture. Consequently, relative humidity decreases even if the moisture content remains constant, highlighting the necessity for equilibrium.
Relative humidity not only influences environmental conditions but also impacts the perceived temperature, known as the apparent or feel temperature. Higher humidity exacerbates the perceived warmth, even at identical temperature settings, making it necessary to manage humidity levels effectively.
SenseHub Poultry offers a comprehensive monitoring system that tracks temperature, apparent temperature, and humidity, providing invaluable insights into the birds’ environment and its potential impact on their performance.
Special attention must be given to chicks, whose vulnerability to dehydration is compounded by their small size and rapid respiration rate. Even within the normal temperature range, chicks can quickly dehydrate if humidity levels dip below 40pc.
Transitioning from the high humidity of hatchers to a drier shed environment poses additional risks, potentially shocking the chicks and increasing the likelihood of dehydration and chilling.
To mitigate these risks, humidity levels should ideally be maintained at 65pc for the initial three days post-placement, gradually tapering to 60pc until finishing, with an acceptable variance of +/- 8pc contingent on external factors.
While many producers have adopted more efficient indirect heating systems, these innovations have posed their own challenges. While proficient at keeping moisture levels low, they often struggle to maintain adequate humidity, particularly during chick placement when levels may hover around 40pc. This highlights the need for proactive monitoring and adjustment.
Most ventilation systems are primarily triggered by temperature and CO2 levels, posing challenges in overseeing humidity levels. Here, sensors play a crucial role, furnishing real-time data on environmental conditions, empowering producers to fine-tune ventilation and heating before any adverse effects manifest in the flock.
In conclusion, mastering humidity control is crucial for poultry health and performance. With proactive monitoring and targeted interventions, producers can ensure optimal conditions year-round, safeguarding the well-being and productivity of their flocks.
