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Abstract
Research was conducted to compare subcutaneous flank temperature (TF) to rectal temperature (TR) in broiler chicks and evaluate the effect of air movement on chick body temperature under different brooding temperatures (29.4, 32.2, and 35.0°C) during the first week of age. RFID sensors were surgically implanted into the subcutaneous layer of the flank to record TF. The result showed TF was a reliable indirect measurement of the rectal temperature (TR = 0.97*TF ¬+ 1.35, R2 = 0.96) with an accuracy of ± 0.1°C. The effect of air movement on chick body temperature was independent of age. At room temperature of 29.4°C, 0.5 m/s air caused body temperature of the first week to drop less than 0.3°C while body temperature was not affected at 32.2 and 35.0°C. At room temperature of 29.4 and 32.2°C, 1 m/s air caused body temperature of the first week to drop less than 0.3°C.