Here we present, for the first time, a glossary of biometeorological terms. The glossary aims to address the need for a reliable source of biometeorological definitions, thereby facilitating communication and mutual understanding in this rapidly expanding field. A total of 171 terms are defined, with reference to 234 citations. It is anticipated that the glossary will be revisited in coming years, updating terms and adding new terms, as appropriate. The glossary is intended to provide a useful resource to the biometeorology community, and to this end, readers are encouraged to contact the lead author to suggest additional terms for inclusion in later versions of the glossary as a result of new and emerging developments in the field.

Accurate measurements of gas exchange between an animal and its environment is critical in determining metabolic heat production and respiratory functions of broilers. Information on non-invasive methods to measure gas exchange of broiler chicks and chickens under uncontrolled environmental conditions is lacking in the literature. The aims of this study were: (1) to develop an indirect calorimetric system including a hood that allows gas exchange for chickens, (2) to measure gas exchange and respiratory functions (respiration rate, ventilation rate, and tidal volume) of broiler chickens weighing greater than 250 g, and (3) to calculate heat production and respiratory evaporation of the birds based on measured gas and vapor exchanges. We conducted two trials. The first trial involved 6 broiler chicks evaluated for 6 days in 6 different schedules (6 × 6 Latin square). The chicks were kept inside a heat exchanger with a continuous air flow of 150 mL min−1. The second trial involved 12 birds evaluated for 12 days in 12 different schedules (12 × 12 Latin square). Metabolic heat production and evaporation were influenced by live weight of chicks, varying between evaluation days (P < 0.05). The respiratory functions (tidal volume, ventilation rate, and respiratory rate) varied between days, and were strongly influenced by live weight of the broilers (P < 0.05).

The aim of this study was to evaluate an ethanolic extract of propolis and clove essential oil as a substitute for paraformaldehyde for the sanitation of fertile eggs. In total, 1,800 hatching eggs (from 40-week-old CPK [Pesadão Vermelho] breeder hens) were randomly distributed among the treatments (grain alcohol, clove essential oil, ethanolic extract of propolis, and paraformaldehyde). Spraying was the application method for all treatments except for paraformaldehyde, for which fumigation was used. The experimental design was a randomized block design with 4 treatments. Analysis of the incubation parameters was based on 6 replications per treatment. The egg weight loss was lower in the eggs treated with ethanolic extract of propolis (8.59 ± 3.34%) than in the eggs treated with grain alcohol (13.40 ± 2.87%), clove essential oil (12.96 ± 3.33%), and paraformaldehyde (13.05 ± 3.24%). The hatchability of the fertile eggs (51.39 ± 5.81%) and the hatchability of the set eggs (44.74 ± 6.79%) were negatively affected by the application of ethanolic extract of propolis. Late mortality of eggs treated was higher than early mortality in the grain alcohol (12.14 ± 4.72%; 2.86 ± 3.30%), clove essential oil (4.60 ± 5.95%; 3.03 ± 3.50%), and ethanolic extract of propolis (36.63 ± 6.60%, 11.98 ± 4.30%) treatments. The eggs treated with clove essential oil (67.90 ± 1.87%), paraformaldehyde (67.80 ± 1.85%), or grain alcohol (67.50 ± 1.92%) presented chick yields as expected. However, despite the ideal yield of eggs treated with ethanolic extract of propolis (69.25 ± 1.68%), its application at the concentration used in the present research is not recommended. Clove essential oil, when sprayed on fertile eggs as a sanitizing agent, did not differ from paraformaldehyde in relation to hatchery performance parameters.