USE OF INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY IN POULTRY AS A NON-INVASIVE METHOD OF HEALTH ASSESSMENT

Intensive broiler chicken production is characterized by the restricted space that limits the expression of natural behaviors and hinders the thermal comfort of the animals. To maintain the competitiveness of poultry production, it is necessary to adapt the facilities and management to overcome the harmful effects of critical environmental factors, such as high temperatures and relative humidity of the air. Seeking to evaluate the facilities and their interference in the health and comfort of animals through practical and fast methods, the use of infrared thermography is used. Thermography is a non-invasive method that allows accurate analysis of body temperature. The objective of this review was to demonstrate the importance of using thermography in poultry farming in quick interventions aiming to guarantee animal welfare and adequate production economy. Studies show that in poultry farming, the use of thermographic cameras is efficient to measure the surface temperature of birds, with the surface temperature also correlated with the surface temperatures of the facilities and inside the incubator itself. It is concluded that the use of non-invasive methods of heat stress detection is necessary for quick interference to prevent animals from remaining in thermal discomfort, reducing their quality of life and productivity. It has been proven that the evaluation by means of a thermographic camera for broilers is efficient, as it allows the diagnosis of diseases, heat stress, allowing quick intervention.