The The effect of abiotic factors on fly abundance in earthen and concreted manure settling floors in broiler chicken farm

Abstract

The association between housefly abundance and poultry farms has long been a topic of concern due to its implications for animal health and hygiene. This study investigated the variation in housefly index in relation to abiotic factors across six open-house broiler chicken farms located in the Kinta district of Perak, Malaysia. Field sampling was conducted to measure housefly abundance alongside various biotic and abiotic factors influencing their presence. Results indicated that the mean housefly index was significantly higher in farms with earthen manure settling floors (7.67 ± 6.55 / 30 seconds) compared to those with concreted floors (6.56 ± 6.27 / 30 seconds), suggesting a positive correlation between floor type and housefly index.

Bird age was relatively similar between earthen (12.29 ± 13.63 days) and concreted (11.04 ± 12.87 days) floor types, showing a non-significant positive correlation with housefly index. A negative correlation was observed between breeding ground temperature and housefly index, although temperature was slightly lower in earthen floors (29.14 ± 1.76 °C) than in concreted ones (29.59 ± 1.81 °C). Additionally, a positive correlation existed between ammonia gas concentration and housefly index, even though lower ammonia levels were recorded on earthen floors (0.85 ± 1.18 ppm) compared to concreted floors (0.98 ± 1.03 ppm). Similarly, hydrogen sulfide concentration was lower on earthen floors (0.038 ± 0.06 ppm) but positively correlated with housefly index. Wind speed showed no significant variation between floor types. In conclusion, temperature, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide concentrations significantly influenced housefly abundance in poultry farm environments.