The productive performance of the laying
hens was strongly affected (P< 0.0001) by the
different type of housing system. It was found that
the average daily feed intake, percentage of
livability, as well as the egg production of the
laying hens house with the evaporative cooling,
where the temperature and humidity were stable
and controlled, were significantly improved, when
compared with the productive performance of hens
raised under the open house system. The
fluctuating temperature during the day and night,
as well as the high humidity during the
experimental period, could have affected the feed
intake and consequently the egg production
decreased for hens in the open house system.
Pequri and Coon (1991) reported that at 32°C, a
decrease in feed intake of laying hens resulted from
the heat effect on their anterior hypothalamic area.