Effect of Relative Humidity on the Performance of Shaver Brown Hens in a Humid Tropical Environment

Abstract

A total of seventy five Shaver Brown hens in their 4th week of lay were used in a study conducted to determine the effect of different relative humidity conditions on the performance of Shaver Brown hens under humid tropical environment. Hens were housed individually in separate cages. The hens were supplied with water ad libitum and fed on layers mash containing 16.5% crude protein and 2650 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy for 10 weeks. Relative humidity were recorded 3-hourly at time intervals of 0600 h, 0900 h, 1200 h, 1500 h, and 1800 h using a standard hygrometer and the mean daily relative humidity noted. The climatic data taken during the period of the experiment showed that the study area had the natural day-length of 13 to 14 hours; mean maximum weekly indoor and outdoor temperatures of 27.9°C to 29.2°C and 26.8°C to 30.5°C, respectively; mean minimum weekly indoor and outdoor temperatures of 20.5°C to 22.3°C and 20.0°C to 23.60°C, respectively; relative humidity of 73.1% to 76.6% and mean total monthly rainfall of 781.33 mm. Results showed that relative humidity significantly affected total egg production, average daily feed intake and Haugh unit. The results of the present study indicate that although relative humidity had effect on performance, Shaver Brown hens are adapted to humid tropical environment.