# Changes in Core Temperature of Cyan-Shank Partridge Chickens Exposed to Continuously Increased Ambient Temperature at Different Relative Humidity Levels

## TL;DR

This study examines how the core temperature of Cyan-shank partridge chickens changes with rising ambient temperature and different humidity levels, identifying a critical temperature threshold.

## Contribution

The study identifies a specific ambient temperature threshold (26.5–27.02°C) where core temperature sharply increases in Cyan-shank partridge chickens.

## Key findings

- The turning point of ambient temperature causing a sharp rise in core temperature ranged from 26.52 to 27.02°C.
- Basal core temperature decreased as the birds aged from 35 to 49 days.
- Relative humidity and age had no significant effect on the turning point of ambient temperature.

## Abstract

This study explores the real-time variation of core temperature in Cyan-shank partridge chickens with continuously increased ambient temperature at different relative humidity levels. The turning point of ambient temperature when core body temperature sharply increases was calculated. The results showed that the turning point of ambient temperature was in the range from 26.52 to 27.02 °C and basal core temperature decreased gradually as bird age increased from 35 to 49 days. These findings provide a data basis for attenuating heat stress-induced low efficiency of production in Cyan-shank partridge chickens.

(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate the changes in core temperature of Cyan-shank partridge chickens with continuously increased ambient temperature at different relative humidity (RH) levels. (2) Methods: Thirty birds were selected at the age of 35 days and randomly divided and housed in three artificial climate chambers. Each chamber was set at one of three different RH levels (50%, 65%, and 80%), and the ambient temperature was increased by 1.0 °C per 0.5 h from 24.0 to 34.0 °C. The core temperature was tested at 1.0 h intervals, and the ambient temperature in the chambers was recorded using mini temperature data loggers. Data were collected continuously for three days at the ages of 35, 42, and 49 days. The broken-line model (BLM) was used to calculate the inflection point temperature (IPT) and basal core temperature (constant). (3) Results: Both RH and age had no significant influence on the IPT. With increasing ambient temperature, the average IPT values of birds measured at the three ages were 26.52, 27.02, and 26.71 °C at the RH levels of 50%, 65%, and 80%, respectively. A significant downward trend in basal core temperature was observed as the birds aged from 35 to 42 days (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: the core temperature of the chicken gradually decreased as the age increased. During the hot summer months, it is better to keep the ambient temperature less than 26.5 °C to avoid the excessive increase in core temperature in Cyan-shank partridge chicken at the ages from 35 to 49 days.