Smart Climate and Light Control System for Caraga Black Native Chick Brooder

Maintaining optimal environmental conditions is crucial for successful brooding management in the poultry industry. This study aimed to develop and deploy a comprehensive climate and light control system for Caraga black native chick brooder cages. The system utilized the ATmega2560 microcontroller as the central processing unit, the DHT22 and MQ-135 sensors as the sensing unit and incorporated remote monitoring via Thing Speak and SMS notifications. The designed system effectively regulated various environmental parameters, including ambient temperature, relative humidity, air quality, and carbon dioxide levels. The targeted ranges for these parameters were as follows: 34–35 °C (Week 1), 32–33 °C (Week 2), and 30–31 °C (Week 3) for temperature; 50–70% for relative humidity; and 0–3000 ppm for carbon dioxide levels. Experimental results demonstrated that implementing the climate and light control system significantly improved chick growth rates. The findings underscored the critical importance of consistent environmental conditions in promoting chick health and overall well-being. Based on the outcomes of this study, it is recommended to incorporate misting or humidifying systems to enhance air quality control further and ensure proper ventilation. Implementing climate-controlled brooder cage systems can provide a more controlled and optimized environment, leading to healthier chicks and improved overall performance in the poultry industry.