REUSE OF PET BOTTLES AS ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT FOR BROILER FARMING

Objective: This study was to evaluate the chickens' interest behavior for PET bottles, 12 colored balls and nests with perches. Method: 7.200 thousand broiler breeders and 6.000 13 thousand broilers were used. PET bottles and colored balls were used as environmental 14 enrichment for broilers and bottles and nests with perches for broiler breeders. Collection 15 campaigns were carried out in the productive units (field and slaughterhouses). 16 Transparent PET bottles, sanitized, with caps, without holes in sizes between 1.5, 2 and 17 2.5 liters were inserted in the field. The bottles were positioned at eye level of the animals 18 and inside them liquids with the colors blue, yellow and red were inserted. Results: It 19 was found that broilers sought enrichments in the morning and afternoon periods equally 20 statistically. It was observed that the objects were sought more frequently at 14 days of 21 age and less sought at 3 days of age. For broilers and broiler breeders, the preference for 22 colors was yellow, blue and red on the days evaluated. For broiler breeders, 23 environmental enrichments were sought more frequently at 43 days of age and less sought 24 at 47. Conclusion: The PET bottles as well as balls are objects that can be used as 25 environmental enrichment given the interest shown by the chickens.