Effects of different broiler flooring systems on surface temperature, air quality and carcass characters of broilers

The present study investigated the use of perforated plastic floors with different heights in the broiler performance, surface temperature, air quality, and carcass characters of broilers. Three hundred sixty-seven day-old unsexed chicks randomly divided into 4 groups: control reared on sawdust litter in others used, plastic floors with different heights (5, 10 and 15) cm, for 2 nd , 3rd and 4 th treatment respectively. The first treatment (sawdust) showed significantly (P < 0.05) increase in body surface temperature, as compared to the plastic floors system treatments, and the three plastic floor treatments affected air quality, with less concentrations of ammonia and carbon dioxide compared to the sawdust. The results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the live relative weight, where the treatments T2, T3 and T4 were increase at the age of 35 days compared to the sawdust treatment. We suggested the perforated plastic floors could be a good alternative to promote a better quality environment and superior production rates with improved surface temperature.