Development of Heat Stress Forecasting System in Mechanically Ventilated Broiler House Using Dynamic Energy Simulation

Abstract

The internal rearing environment of livestock houses has become an important issue in the last few years due to the rapid increase in meat consumption. As the number of days of heat waves increase continuously, problems caused by abnormal weather changes steadily occurred. Thus, the main goal of this study is to develop a technology that can automatically calculate heat stress for livestock by considering weather forecast data. Specifically, a web-based heat stress forecasting system for the evaluation of heat stress in broilers was developed. The field experiments were carried out at the selected broiler house to measure and analyze the external weather, the internal environment, and the ventilation flow rate of fans used in tunnel ventilation. The developed model was validated by comparing the field and simulated thermal environment values. Based on a reliable model, Land-Atmosphere Modeling Package (LAMP) weather forecast data was used to show the stress index on the internal rearing environment with a heat stress index suitable for South Korea. When the users input the farm location, structure and equipment, and rearing information, users responded after receiving heat stress from the broiler raised in a mechanically ventilated broiler house.