The objective ofthis study was to evaluate the effect of different poultry house heating systemson the thermal comfort and performance of broiler chicks during the winterperiod, in the southern region of Brazil. Three buildings were used, each containing17,700 broiler chickens (Cobb), during two complete productive cycles. Threeheating systems were evaluated: furnace with indirect air heating; infraredheater and radiant experimental "drum" system with an infrared supplementalheating system. In order to evaluate the thermal environment and animal performance,a randomized block experimental design with three heating system was used, intwo complete productive cycles. In the first two weeks after birth, the radiantexperimental "drum" system is the most efficient in maintaining the air temperatureand relative humidity in thermal comfort condition of the broiler chicks and,consequently, result in the best results of weigh gain, dietary conversion andefficient production.
