Characterization of gas emissions from a Mediterranean broiler farm

Gas emissions from broiler production have been the subject of intensive research. However, little experimental information exists for farms under the particular management and environmental conditions of the European Mediterranean area. In this study, ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide concentrations and emissions were measured in a commercial broiler farm located in Spain. Gas concentrations were measured using a photoacoustic gas monitor, whereas the ventilation flow was evaluated by controlling the operation status of each fan. Two rearing periods were studied, one in summer and one in winter. All gas emissions increased with bird age. Ammonia emission rates averaged 19.7 and 18.1 mg/h per bird in the summer and winter, respectively, and increased with indoor temperature (r(2) = 0.51 in summer; r(2) = 0.42 in winter). Average CO(2) emission rates were 3.84 and 4.06 g/h per bird, CH(4) emission was 0.44 and 1.87 mg/h per bird, and N(2)O emission was 1.74 and 2.13 mg/h per bird in summer and winter, respectively. A sinusoidal daily variation pattern was observed in all emissions except for CH(4). These patterns were characterized in terms of time of maximum emission and amplitude of the daily variation.