A harness and computer system to facilitate automated body temperature data collection in heat-stressed broilers

An easy-to-use, low-cost system was developed that permitted nearly continuous, automated core body temperature (Tc) readings on 7-wk-old male broiler chickens via direct computer linkage to thermistor probes held in place by a specially designed harness. Elevated Tc was noted in heat stress studies following the replacement of expelled temperature probes in some hyperthermic birds. To demonstrate the usefulness of the data collection system described herein, three treatments with three to four birds per treatment were used to examine this observation. Birds were designated as handled only (HAN), handled to remove and replace the temperature probe (RPL), or left as nonhandled controls (CON). Treatments had no effect on subsequent Tc in experiments when the thermoregulatory capacity of the birds was not challenged. However, when the birds were sufficiently challenged, Tc of HAN and RPL birds increased within 4 min of the initiation of handling and remained above baseline for up to 45 min. The Tc of CON birds in that trial also increased, but to a smaller degree, within 5 min and remained above baseline for up to 20 min. This study indicates that Tc of hyperthermic birds can be superelevated by simulated manual placement of cloacal temperature probes and that fixed probes connected to an automated data monitoring and collection system is a relatively simple way to avoid this problem.