Intra-farm dynamic of environmental conditions in commercial rabbitries with respiratory disorders using an innovative IoT device

The microclimate inside rabbitries is a well-established predisposing factor for respiratory diseases, influencing animal growth and health. This study investigated the fluctuations of key environmental parameters in fattening rabbitries with and without respiratory disorders. To this purpose, six multifunctional IoT (Internet of Things) devices were placed at animal level in different locations within each barn. These devices can measure continuously various parameters, including temperature, relative humidity, light intensity, sound pressure, gas concentrations (ammonia, sulphuric acid, carbon dioxide) and particulate levels. Measurements were collected for 7 to 10 days in each farm, with external conditions simultaneously recorded from local meteorological stations. Considering the optimal welfare values, the continuous monitoring system provided valuable information regarding significant deviations of some parameters, irrespective of the external conditions. The results highlighted that temperatures were consistently above 20 °C for 51%, 89%, and 100% of the time in three out of four problematic farms, whereas relative humidity was below the suggested value of 60% in all of them for 30% to 89% of the time. Moreover, multi-site measurements within the same building revealed a heterogeneous distribution of the parameters investigated. Differences in ammonia concentrations up to 11 ppm have been found in the same barn, indicating a low uniformity of air quality. Dustiness, sound pressure, and sulphuric acid concentrations never reached levels of concern. The findings demonstrate the utility of this real-time evaluation method as a valuable tool for farmers' decision-making, specifically in efforts to mitigate the adverse impact of environmental conditions on animal health.