Table 1.
Control and low temperature (cool) environmental temperature profiles to which male broiler chickens were subjected at different ages. The control temperature profile was that recommended in the breeder’s manual (Aviagen, 2007). The temperatures of the cool treatment were based on a theoretical model of ambient temperatures required for broilers to exhibit potential protein growth (EFG, 2009). Relative humidity was 70% to day 5 and 60% thereafter in both treatments.
| Age (d) | Control (°C) | Cool (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | 30 |
| 3 | 28 | 28 |
| 6 | 27 | 27 |
| 9 | 26 | 26 |
| 12 | 25 | 25 |
| 15 | 24 | 24 |
| 18 | 23 | 23 |
| 21 | 22 | 20.5 |
| 24 | 21 | 19 |
| 27 | 21 | 17 |
| 30 | 21 | 16 |
| 33 | 21 | 15 |
| 36 | 21 | 14 |
| 39 | 21 | 14 |