Effects of air velocity on convective and radiant heat transfer from domestic fowls at environmental temperatures of 20 degrees and 30 degrees C.

The effects of air movement upon sensible heat loss from individual birds at ambient temperatures of 20 degrees and 30 degrees C were determined by partitional calorimetry using a newly developed wind tunnel calorimeter. The relationship between area specific convective heat loss (W/m2) and air velocity (in the range 0.3 to 1.05 m/s) was described by y = 56.5 + 16.9 log x at an air temperature of 20 degrees C, but at 30 degrees C convective heat loss increased linearly with air speed (y = 11.8 + 40.1 x). At 20 degrees C sensible heat exchange (W/m2) was related to air velocity by y = 70.6 exp (0.099 x) and by y = 41.4 + 25.9 x at 30 degrees C, the proportional increase with air speed being greater at the higher temperature. The differences in the effects of air movement on convective cooling and sensible heat loss at 20 degrees and 30 degrees C reflect the thermoregulatory responses of the birds, induced by the thermal demands of the environment.