Microclimate, Air Quality, Physiological Responses, and Production Performance of Broilers Raised in a Closed Housing System with Plastic Slatted Flooring

Abstract

The use of rice husks as floor mats in broiler chickens rearing in closed house systems faces sustainability challenges related to availability, inconsistent quality and their role as a source of particulate pollution in the air.This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the potential of plastic slat flooring as a substitute for traditional rice husk mats.A comparative study was conducted at a commercial Teaching Farm Closed House PT Hasanuddin Agrivisi Internusa in Makassar, Indonesia.This research compares two treatments in a closed house with a capacity of 25,000 chicks per cage: rice husk litter floor mats and plastic slat floors.The key parameters measured included microclimate conditions, air quality, physiological responses, and broiler production performance.The results showed a significant improvement in air quality (P<0.05) in the slatted flooring cage, evidenced by a much lower concentration of particulate matter (PM)<100m (304.3059.65g/Nm)compared to litter (61821.55g/Nm).Furthermore, broilers reared on slatted flooring showed significantly higher weight gain (P<0.05)(1,63235.58g)than those reared on litter flooring (1,57249.86g).In conclusion, the use of plastic slat flooring not only improves air quality by reducing particulate pollution but also improves the growth performance of broilers.

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