@entity544 balances are useful in determining ventilation rates in livestock buildings. These balances need an accurate estimation of the @entity515 produced by animals and their litter to determine the ventilation flows. To estimate the daily variation in ventilation flow, it is necessary to precisely know the daily variation pattern of @entity515 production, which mainly depends on animal activity. The objective of this study was to explore the applicability of @entity515 balances for determining ventilation flows in broiler buildings. More specifically, this work aimed to quantify the amount of @entity515 produced by the litter, as well as the amount of @entity515 produced by the broilers, as a function of productive parameters, and to analyze the influence of broiler activity on @entity515 emissions. Gas concentrations and ventilation flows were simultaneously measured in 3 trials, with 1 under experimental conditions and the other 2 in a commercial broiler farm. In the experimental assay, broiler activity was also determined. At the end of the experimental trial, on the day after the removal of the broilers, the litter accounted for 20% of the total @entity515 produced, and the broilers produced 3.71 L/h of @entity515 per kg of metabolic weight. On the commercial farm, @entity515 production was the same for the 2 cycles (2.60 L/h per kg of metabolic weight, P > 0.05). However, substantial differences were found between @entity515 and broiler activity patterns after changes in light status. A regression model was used to explain these differences (R(2) = 0.52). @entity544 increased with bird activity, being on average 3.02 L/h per kg of metabolic weight for inactive birds and 4.73 L/h per kg of metabolic weight when bird activity was highest. Overall, @entity515 balances are robust tools for determining the daily average ventilation flows in broiler farms. These balances could also be applied at more frequent intervals, but in this case, particular care is necessary after light status changes because of discrepancy between animal activity and @entity515 production.

The influence of broiler activity, growth rate, and litter on XXXX balances for the determination of ventilation flow rates in broiler production.

@entity544 :: ('MESH:D002245', 'Chemical') :: ['Carbon dioxide'] @entity515 :: ('CHEBI:29334', 'Chemical') :: ['CO(2)']
@entity544 :: (MESH:D002245,Chemical) :: ['carbon dioxide']
