The Influence of Open, Semi-Closed, and Closed House Microclimates on Broiler Productivity in the Dry Season

Abstract

In Indonesia, there are three housing systems: sometimes open, semi-closed and closed. This study aimed to analyze the effect of microclimatic conditions, NH₃, and E. coli levels on broiler productivity in open, semi-closed, and closed houses during the dry season. The research took place in June - August 2019, when the air temperature was 28°-34°C during the day, while at night, the air temperature was around 21°-25°C with rainfall < 60 mm/month. The material used was the Lohmann strain broiler. Observations were made in six house units consisting of two open house units with a total of 5,000 chickens/house unit, two semi-closed units with a total of 18,000 chickens/house unit, and two closed house units with a total of 33,000 chickens/house unit. This research is survey research, with the experimental parameters being temperature (^oC), humidity (%), wind speed (m/s), NH₃ (ppm) and E. coli (CFU/mL), body weight (g/bird), FI (g/bird/day), FCR, IP, mortality, and IOFC. Based on the study's results in open, semi-closed, and closed houses, there were differences (P<0.05) in temperature, humidity, wind speed, and NH₃, whereas in E. coli they were not significantly different. In broiler productivity, the type of house affected body weight (P<0.05), while on FI, FCR, IP, mortality, and IOFC were not significantly different (P<0.05). The conclusion is that the range of temperature, humidity, and wind speed in all houses is still in the standard range of broiler maintenance. NH₃ and E. coli levels were below the threshold that chickens could tolerate, although the highest levels were in closed houses. This affects the BW of broilers in open and semi-closed at weeks 1, 2, and 3, which is higher than in closed houses