Thermal conditions within B-train trailers transporting broiler chickens in Western Canada Presented at the ATA 36 th Annual Conference May 10, 2010 Fort Lauderdale, FL Natasha Burlinguette

Poultry Transport Team N.A. Burlinguette 1, M.L. Strawford 1, J.M. Watts 1, K.P.C. Hui 1, T.G. Crowe 1, H.L. Classen 2, P.J. Shand 3 1 Department of Agricultural & Bioresource Engineering 2 Department of Animal & Poultry Science 3 Department of Food & Bioproduct Sciences

Today’s presentation... Western Canadian conditionsWestern Canadian conditions B-train trailerB-train trailer Research objectivesResearch objectives Data collection & analysis methodsData collection & analysis methods Temperature profilesTemperature profiles ConclusionsConclusions

Western Canada Saskatchewan Climate* Winter Lows -24 to -20˚C Summer Highs > 25˚C Summer Lows 11 to 15˚C *Source: National Resources Canada

Transport Distances

Module (12 or 15 drawers ea.) Drawer B-Train 8820 broilers / load

Tailboard Bungee Strap Tarp Strap

Travel Direction

+ - Negative Pressure (suction) Positive Pressure

Research Objective To characterise temperature distributions in B-train trailers transporting broiler chickens in Western Canada

Data Collection 14 B-trains14 B-trains 1-minute interval temperature recordings1-minute interval temperature recordings Ambient -24˚C to +14˚C (night transport only)Ambient -24˚C to +14˚C (night transport only)

Analysis Identified “steady-state” conditions for each B-trainIdentified “steady-state” conditions for each B-train Calculated ΔT = (T trailer – T ambient )Calculated ΔT = (T trailer – T ambient ) Grouped the data; calculated mean ΔTGrouped the data; calculated mean ΔT Created 3-D thermal plotsCreated 3-D thermal plots Identified portions of the load experiencing a specified temperature liftIdentified portions of the load experiencing a specified temperature lift

Data Groupings CodesTarpsRoof VentsAmbient Ranges u-u-allall upall open8 to11˚C u-d-all 1 side up & 1 side down all open6 to 14˚C d-d-allall downall open-10 to 6˚C d-d-1F,2F, & 5B,6B,7B all down 1F, 2F, & 5B, 6B, 7B open -19 to 3˚C d-d-1Fall down1F open-24 to -21˚C Tarp & Vent Configurations Travel Direction

Passenger side Midline Driver side d-d-1F Ambient T (avg) = -22.1˚C (-24 to -21˚C) 1F Trailer Temp. min = -21˚C max = 22˚C avg = -2 ˚C ΔT MAX = 44 ˚C ΔT AVG = 20˚C

Passenger side Midline Driver side d-d-all Ambient T (avg) = -3.5˚C (-10 to 6˚C) Trailer Temp. min = -1˚C max = 24˚C avg = 10 ˚C ΔT MAX = 28˚C ΔT AVG = 13˚C

Passenger side Midline Driver side u-u-all Ambient T (avg) = 9.8˚C (8 to 11˚C) Trailer Temp. min = 10˚C max = 17˚C avg = 13 ˚C ΔT MAX = 7˚C ΔT AVG = 3˚C

Rear Trailer Profiles ΔT Degrees Celsius warmer than Ambient % of Load (-22.1˚C) open closed X

Lead Trailer Profiles ΔT Degrees Celsius warmer than Ambient % of Load (-22.1˚C) open closed

Conclusions ΔT profiles for 5 common B-train configurationsΔT profiles for 5 common B-train configurations Relative warm and cool zones (tarps down)Relative warm and cool zones (tarps down) Warm: midline – front of LEAD & back of REAR Cool: exterior – back of LEAD & front of REAR Wider temperature gradients & larger ΔT observed when trailer more tightly closedWider temperature gradients & larger ΔT observed when trailer more tightly closed ΔT MAX = 44˚C (d-d-1F) Near uniform temperatures when trailer openNear uniform temperatures when trailer open ΔT MAX = 7˚C (u-u-all)

Trever Crowe (Ph.D., P.Eng.)