ESTIMATING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM BROILER CHICKEN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS USING LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assoc. Prof., Ag. Eng. Dept., Fac. of Ag., Zagazig U., Zagazig, Egypt.

Abstract

Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the major environmental challenges facing broiler chicken production. Environmental impacts of different broiler chicken production systems, open floor (scenario A) vs. closed cage (scenario B), during summer and winter seasons through a cradle to farm-gate perspective, were evaluated using life cycle assessment approach. The main components of impacts as well as activities data, including mechanical emissions of energy use and non-mechanical emissions, were identified. Both scenarios were evaluated by calculating the inputs and outputs through the system boundary for assessing the level of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, and N2O) emitted from these production scenarios and clarify the link between productive performance and environmental impacts. According to results, scenario B had higher values of final body weight (FBW) by 4.55 and 3.95% and an improvement in feed conversion ratio by 7.27 and 6.17%. In addition, electricity usage in scenario B led to an increase in GHG mechanical emissions by 15.38 and 16.67% compared to scenario A for summer and winter seasons, respectively. For non-mechanical emissions, feed made the largest contribution to global warming potential impact category. Feed in scenario A increased emissions by 2.84 and 2.81% compared to scenario B for summer and winter seasons, respectively. Overall emissions obtained from scenario A were generally higher than scenario B during both seasons. In conclusion, the closed cage-raised broilers performance is better than floor-system, which contributed to reducing greenhouse gases emitted and achieving enhanced productive and eco-friendly performance. 

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References

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