Design and testing of a novel environmental preference chamber

Ana Paula de A. Maia, Daniella J. Moura, Angela R. Green, Wagner T. Silva, Juliana Sarubbi, Juliana M. Massari, Leonardo Valentino Soares Barbosa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Preference testing is one method for assessing animal perceptions regarding their housing environment and can assist with animal welfare assessment. No literature was found detailing specific designs for the compartments and their temperature and ammonia distribution. A novel system was designed and built as an environmental preference system (EPTS); the system has three parallel connected compartments separated by an automatic door. For the appropriate interpretation of animal responses for environmental testing, it is important to ensure precise control, stability, and uniformity of environmental control. Set-point values of 15, 22, and 30 °C and 0, 20, and 40 ppmv NH3 were randomly applied to all compartments during the testing. The system has proven to be capable of providing distinct simultaneous environments in each compartment (tdb of 15.8 ± 1.4 °C, 22.4 ± 1.0 °C, 30.1 ± 0.8 °C and NH3 concentrations of 3.5 ± 2.8 ppmv, 19.4 ± 4.1 ppmv, and 38.2 ± 4.4 ppmv). The validation of the EPTS was conducted with a group of nine broilers that could transit between the compartments of the EPTS and avoid the heat stress environment. This system can be used for environmental preference studies with animals within the limits reported for the stability, repeatability, and uniformity of the environments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)23-37
Number of pages15
JournalComputers and Electronics in Agriculture
Volume157
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2019

Keywords

  • Air quality
  • Animal welfare
  • Automatic control
  • Free-choice testing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Forestry
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Horticulture

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