Sustainable Growth in Broiler Poultry: Environmental Responsibility

Uncertainty regarding climate change and the accompanying heat waves pose significant challenges for the poultry broiler industry. When chickens are exposed to high temperatures, heat stress occurs, resulting in decreased feed intake, decreased weight gain, diminished meat quality, and increased susceptibility to disease. Climate change increases the frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves, increasing the risk of heat stress in poultry broiler farms.

Heat Stress in Farms

When the ambient temperature surpasses the threshold level, this is referred to as heat stress. Poultry are especially vulnerable since they lack sweat glands and consequently have a restricted ability to regulate their body temperature. Inadequate airflow can cause heat stress. Heat, humidity, and poisonous compounds can accumulate in an area with insufficient ventilation, exacerbating heat stress in birds. Heat stress in birds can be caused by airflow constraints, an increase in body heat produced by hunched birds, and overcrowding. The heat stress condition could also come from a shortage of space can harm birds' health by preventing them from releasing enough heat and causing them to become more agitated and peck at each other's feathers. Heat fatigue can be exacerbated by a lack of access to cool, clean water. If water is short, they may consume less feed, reducing their ability to withstand heat stress. In other cases, some chicken houses equipment, such as lighting systems, heaters, or poorly insulated buildings, may contribute to increased heat stress. Because of these heat sources, the ambient temperature may rise, making it more difficult for birds to maintain thermal equilibrium.

Birds' ability to enter cooler locations may be limited by a lack of natural cover or the absence of artificial cooling devices such as fans or misters. In hot weather, inadequate monitoring, failure to adapt feed and watering schedules, and insufficient training of caretakers on how to address heat stress may have an influence on the welfare of hens. As a result, there is inefficiency, poor performance, a range of diseases, and financial losses.

Sustainability Impact on the Animal Welfare and Environment

Besides heat stress, we also need to take into account that the Ammonia (NH3) concentrations in poultry farms are strongly correlated with heat stress, which causes irritation and respiratory distress. NH3 is the primary gas produced by the bacterial decomposition of uric acid in poultry houses. It has a significant impact on the health of birds and is especially prevalent in poultry houses that use soiled litter. Various techniques, including NH3 gas absorbers, enzyme inhibitors, feed handling, and additive/amendment litter such as aluminum sulfate and sodium bisulfate, have been utilized to reduce NH3 environmental volatilization. Alumamended litter can reduce atmospheric NH3 concentrations by 30% while maintaining a low pH until the bird is 35 days old.

Due to its negative effects on productivity, body weight gain, calorie conversion, general living conditions, carcass condemnation, and bird immunity, NH3 levels in poultry houses should not exceed 25 ppm. NH3 concentrations in excess of 25 ppm impair bird performance and necessitate intensive ventilation to bring them below 25 ppm. The management of litter should be kept between 15% and 25%, the quality of litter should be monitored, and chemicals can be added to poultry manure to control NH3 emissions. Water management must be routinely inspected to prevent leakage into the litter.

High concentrations can harm the respiratory systems of birds, increase their susceptibility to respiratory infections, and reduce their productivity. NH3 volatilization from animal waste is the second-largest source of atmospheric NH3 emissions; litter control and ventilation can reduce NH3 levels, increase poultry productivity, reduce the risk of respiratory diseases, and provide a pleasant, healthy, and productive environment for workers. NH3 emissions in broiler litter are affected by the air and litter temperatures, air exchange rate, litter pH, nitrogen content, and litter humidity content.

Reducing heat stress and NH3 levels in poultry broiler farms necessitates an interdisciplinary strategy, one of which is applying precision farming techniques to reduce excess nitrogen runoff. Startups can leverage IoT technology to improve their poultry broiler business with environmentally friendly operations. IoT sensors deployed on the farm enable continuous monitoring of critical parameters such as temperature, humidity, ammonia levels, and energy usage. Proactive preventive actions can be set up to alert farmers and provide instructions for necessary preventive actions. Remote farm management can be done through a centralized platform or mobile applications. Efficient resource utilization can be achieved by monitoring energy consumption and adjusting lighting, heating, and ventilation systems based on predefined settings.

Smart monitoring can help mitigate heat stress

IoT technology enables poultry broiler startups to achieve greater efficiency, productivity, and sustainability through real-time monitoring, proactive preventive actions, remote management, and data-driven decision-making. This allows startups to make data-driven decisions to improve processes, fine-tune operations, and optimize resource allocation. Collaboration and communication are also enabled through centralized platforms or mobile applications. When ammonia levels reach dangerous levels, an SMS can be sent to inform farm officers to take preventive action. Continuous improvement and effective collaboration enable startups to optimize their operations and work towards their mission of sustainable and efficient poultry production.