SmartBrood: An Internet of Things-Based Thermal Control System for Sustainable Small-Scale Poultry Chick Brooding

The poultry sector in the Philippines is crucial for food security and economic development; however, small-scale farms encounter considerable difficulties in sustaining ideal brooding conditions for day-old chicks, mainly due to insufficient temperature regulation, resource constraints, and environmental fluctuations. This study addresses these challenges by developing a thermal management system specifically for small-scale chicken brooding homes to improve chick health, productivity, and sustainability. Based on the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the approach emphasizes energy-efficient environmental management while safeguarding future resources. The main purpose was to develop a prototype that controls temperature and humidity to facilitate chick growth, commencing at an optimal $33-35^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ for hatchlings and changing as they grow. The project used a research and development approach based on Sugiyono's framework, encompassing literature review, needs analysis, system design, prototyping, and thorough testing. The prototype incorporates an Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller, a DS18B20 temperature sensor, a DHT22 humidity sensor, an AC dimmer for infrared bulb control, and Ethernet connectivity for IoT monitoring via the Blynk Cloud dashboard. This facilitates real-time visualization of temperature, humidity, and heat intensity, accommodating 50 chicks in a compact brooding facility. The prototype implementation exhibited consistent temperature control, thereby reducing chick stress and mortality risk. This novel method addresses deficiencies in backyard farming by providing a cost-effective, user-friendly solution that enhances resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. It is claimed to be effective based on evaluation results showing strong agreement in functionality and usability, with scores of 4.60 and 4.26, respectively. Wi-Fi integration and solar power are two upgrades that could make it easier for more people in rural areas to use it and help achieve global goals for sustainable agriculture.