The use of infrared thermography in the identification of surface temperatures in fast- and slow-growing broiler chickens

This study aimed to identify through infrared thermal imaging technology the surface temperature of the eye, beak, head, trunk, leg, and body of fast- and slow-growing broiler chickens at 2, 4, and 6 weeks of age. A total of 140 1-day-old broiler chicks were used in the study. Two treatments were included: fast-growing (Ross 308) and slow-growing (Hubbard JA57), with two replicates for each treatment. Thirty-five broiler chickens were placed in each pen. Beak and leg surface temperatures were consistently higher in fast-growing broiler chickens during the 2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks. Except for the 4th week, the surface temperature differences in the eyes and other feathered areas between fast- and slow-growing broiler chickens were not statistically significant. Eye surface temperature was not influenced by age in either genotype. In both genotypes, the beak and head surface temperatures increased with age, while the body and trunk surface temperatures decreased. Additionally, leg surface temperatures increased with age in fast-growing broiler chickens. The litter surface temperature was consistently higher in pens housing the fast-growing genotypes across all measured weeks. As a result, age and genotype were determined to affect the surface temperatures of broiler chickens and litter. It is thought that using infrared cameras in poultry house systems can improve the welfare of broiler chickens.