Market Broiler Management Practice Test

Where should the temperature sensor be located in a broiler house for optimal readings?

1. Front end of the house

2. Middle section of the house

3. Last third of the house

4. Near the feed area

The correct answer is: Last third of the house

Locating the temperature sensor in the last third of the broiler house is optimal for several reasons. Broiler houses are typically designed to encourage even distribution of temperature across the entire space. The last third of the house often serves as a crucial area for gathering accurate readings because it reflects the conditions that the birds experience as they move toward their feeding and resting areas. Placing the sensor in this part allows for a better understanding of the thermal environment that the broilers inhabit, as it can capture variations that might not be evident in the front or middle sections. These variations can be influenced by factors such as air movement, heating, watering, and other environmental controls that are essential for the birds' health and growth. The other locations may not provide as accurate a representation of the overall conditions that the birds are truly experiencing. For example, the front end might be influenced by drafts or proximity to the entrance, and the middle section might not capture the heat accumulation or stratification that can occur toward the end of the house. Likewise, positioning the sensor near the feed area could misrepresent the air temperature due to localized heat generated from feeding activities and might not be indicative of the temperature experienced in the roosting or resting areas where the birds spend most of their