Conditioned Air Ventilation System
Innovative solutions to summer heat stress management in
broiler and layer chicken flocks
broiler and layer chicken flocks
Climate Control: |
Air Quality Control: |
Conditioned air:
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Conditioned air:
Ultra Violet Lighting:
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Benefits to Conditioned Air Ventilation System:
Reduction in Disease Risk:
- Regulated, consistent temperatures and humidity levels ensure optimum conditions for broiler and layer bird flocks.
- Lower humidity equals reduction in bacteria and disease growth.
- Bacteria killed in air entering the building through ultra violet lighting and air filtration before it reaches the chickens.
- Biosecurity drastically upgraded as the air is filtered and kills 99.9% of any bacteria/virus before it gets in the barn.
Traditional fan vents bring in dust from outside with possible contaminants such as disease, bacteria, fungi, mold, spores etc. The Conditioned Air Ventilation System eliminates the risk of this contaminated dust getting in your barn and reaching your chickens. - In Canada, if the Avian Flu is within 10 km of your buildings your entire flock would have to be destroyed/culled and the barns would be out of production for months to come. With the implementation of Conditioned Air Ventilation System all of that would change.
Improved Health Benefits:
- Birds don't overheat in summer months
- Lower livestock mortality due to overheating in summer
- Less diseases and fewer overall health problems
- Birds eat consistently which equals to higher weight gain in broilers and layers as well as consistent egg quality (size, shell quality) and production from layers
Improved Litter Quality:
With reduction in humidity through conditioned air, the litter has less moisture and is less caked which equals:
- Clean out easier and uses less manpower
- Less damage to wood floors
- Produces less ammonia
- Helps cool litter
- Better feet health of chickens due to drier litter equals less bacteria on the feet and less chance of bacteria entering the blood stream through wounds
- Manure will heat up less from chemical reactions.
Structural Benefits:
- The Conditioned Air Ventilation system fits nearly in every barn, new or old, and you don't have to remove your old fans or inlets.
- Conditioned Air Ventilation System can be tailored specifically for your existing building
- Drier litter equals less damage to wood floors
- Most people think that air-conditioning consumes a lot of hydro , but the old fans used to refresh the air and cool the birds in a heat wave have to run 24/7. Hydro is not cheap. However, with traditional methods of cooling the barn you only get the same air temp in the barn as that its outside including the humidity.
- The Conditioned Air Ventilation System will remove a big part of the humidity when the cooling part is used and will use similar amounts of hydro as the old system.
- If you have old fans that need replacing or are under capacity, the Conditioned Air Ventilation System is the way to go.
Increased Profits:
- With lower levels of humidity less bacteria and disease risk
- Less loss of birds
- Reduced need to thin flock due to summer heat
- Optimum environment equals consistent feeding (no need to withdraw feed to combat overheating) which means consistent growth and greater weight gain for broilers
- Optimum environment equals consistent egg size and quality from layers as well as consistent production
- Less labour required to clean out litter as it is drier and easier to remove
- No need to stop feeding when there is a heat wave
- No loss of growth from not feeding
- Consistent feeding allows for no reduction in growth for rest of growing time
- Less birds required to have same kilogram of live weight at end of growing time
- Less expensive feed can be used
- If birds are kept cooler when they are getting bigger, they tend to grow faster with the same amount of feed. Less stress of cooling down means more energy etc. from the feed will be put towards growing of the muscles and more weight gain.
Reduction in Risk factors:
- Lowers risk of disease
- Lowers risk of losing birds or whole flocks in extreme heat waves
- Lowers risk of humidity damage to buildings
- Lowers risk of bird health problems due to bacteria and disease growth in high humidity environments
- Lowers risk of poor weight gains
- Lowers risk of poor egg size, quality and quantity
7000 ft2 x 3 kg = 21000 kg (6 units/top floor Barn2)
all the birds could die when its extreme hot/humid.(and there is more risk on heat waves every year , global warming ! )
that's a 21000 kg life weight at risk x +-$1.55 /kg = $ 32550
and that has to be carried out of the barn (more work/not fun!! = more wages)
all the birds could die when its extreme hot/humid.(and there is more risk on heat waves every year , global warming ! )
that's a 21000 kg life weight at risk x +-$1.55 /kg = $ 32550
and that has to be carried out of the barn (more work/not fun!! = more wages)
- Regulated, consistent temperatures and humidity levels ensure optimum conditions for birds
- Less of need to reduce numbers of birds in summer, can optimize flock size
What percent humidity (range) do you keep your barn at with Randy’s system?
I think its average 20% of the top...saying that if the outside air is 100% then it could be -30 % = 70% and if the outside air is 50% it could be -10% = 40% (depends also on the out side temp )
Is this the same year round?
most humidity will be removed when the aircon is in use in the summer...when the temp outside will drop below the 60F the aircon will not start up only the fans /filter /"disinfect" part of the system will work.
Are there any variables (ie. season, size of birds etc.)
in the first days u of placement u need high humidity so that the chicks don't loose to much "water" from their body and u need high temp (91/87F) no need to cool them then and need only little fresh air.
When they get bigger they get more feathers , the feathers' block/insulate the cooling from the birds so their body temp can easily go up fast.
cooling/drying of the litter is nearly the same important as cooling the chicken , broiler chicken cool/heat them self lots thru the breast meat and how warmer they get how less they will move resulting in heat build up under the chicken and in the chicken.
What percent humidity (range) was it roughly at before Randy’s system?
outside humidity became the inside humidity + a % from water lines/manure/ breathing of the chicken
Does Randy’s system affect levels of ammonia and carbon dioxide in your barns and if yes, by how much would you say? Do you track carbon dioxide and ammonia levels?
there is no good system that will work for a long time in a chicken barn to measure the ammonia/co2 lvl's , it will breakdown because of the harsh environment.
but its how drier the litter ,by getting the humidity out ot the air ur drying the litter , how less ammonia will be created and how less the manure will heat up from chemical reactions .
co2 will probably be the same but will be less in some barns by the better mixing of the air/ better air delivery over the whole floor
All farmers are going to want to do a cost analysis. Do you have a way of determining how long it will take you before this investment will pay off. Could we do a bit of a cost analysis? (Cost of system, cost of operating system, loss of birds, larger bird profit…) I know this one is hard and has so many variables, but if we could give a hypothetical idea it would help I think.
7000 ft2 x 3 kg = 21000 kg (6 units/top floor Barn2)
all the birds could die when its extreme hot/humid.(and there is more risk on heat waves every year , global warming ! )
that's a 21000 kg life weight at risk x +-$1.55 /kg = $ 32550
and that has to be carried out of the barn (more work/not fun!! = more wages)
if u don't have this system u have to stop feeding the chicken at hot days u loose growth from not feeding them likely for (1/2) days in a row (heat wave) (the digestion of feed creates lots of heat in the birds)
also when they r off feed the speed they grow is reduced for the rest of the growing time of the crop.
u will need more chicken and more expensive feed to get the same amount of kg's live weight.
also...when u can keep the chicken cooler when they are getting bigger they tend to grow faster with the same amount of feed (less stress of cooling down means more energy etc from the feed will be put towards growing of the muscles , so more weight gain !)
most people think that air-conditioning cost a lot of hydro , but they tend to forget that the old fans used to refresh the air and cool the birds in a heat wave have to run 24/7.
that hydro is not cheap and ur only get the same air temp in the barn as that its outside including the humidity.
this aircon system fits nearly in every barn, new or old, and u don't even have to remove ur old fans or inlets.
this system will remove a big part of the humidity when the aircon part is used and will probably use the same amount of hydro or very close as the old system.
if u have old fans that needs replacement or they r under capacity , this new system could be the better way to go.
because this new system will filter the air and kill (99.9%?) of any bact/virus in the air before! it gets in the barn there is a big upgrade in ur biosecurity.
dust from the field that are worked up and that could have been contaminated by the droppings of birds with different diseases like avian flu, will have a very hard time to get in the barn and reach ur chicken
also If the avian flu will get in to ur birds , all the chicken on the farm and in a radius of 10 km have to be destroyed/culled and the barns will be out of production for months to come , resulting in big loss revenue .
(2015 in Canada)
Prior to using Randy’s system, did you reduce stock/number of birds in hot months to combat heat problems?
yes I did....did also some thinning out in the summer when I was over the 3.1 kg/ft2
With Randy’s system would chicken farmers be able to maintain maximum numbers of birds year round and not ever need to reduce numbers of birds in the summer months?
thinning out of a barn is less necessary and can keep up the number of birds more on the desired amounts
What are the temperatures you keep the barn at for the various size birds you have ?
these depends greatly on what the farmer wants and with out this system on the out side temp.
but when they get over the 25 days old the risk increases every day.
at 28 days +- 78F
at 30 days +- 70F
at 40 days +- 65F
the formula that they say the chicken will start to die is like this : temp F + Humidity % = > then 170
like if the temp would be 80F and the humidity is 100%.= 180..
what happens is , the chicken cant cool them self enough and begin to heat up inside until they die.
Is Randy’s system only focusing on upper floor? Is the bottom floor having anything done to it?
(yes...no)
because we where testing this system /prototype we only did do the top floor,but its should be done on all floors as risk management ,growth "promoter" in the heat, making it possible to full/max use of the floor space @ 3.53kg/ft2 ,with out this system its risky to go higher then 2.85kg/ft2
What are the most common diseases chicken farmers are dealing with in Ontario at present?
at risk to get avian flu every day.
outbreak of avian flu will close the borders to many countries , loss of export.
different bact that live in humid environments/litter.
like "hockey stick legs" etc
What percent humidity (range) do you keep your barn at with Randy’s system?
I think its average 20% of the top...saying that if the outside air is 100% then it could be -30 % = 70% and if the outside air is 50% it could be -10% = 40% (depends also on the out side temp )
Is this the same year round?
most humidity will be removed when the aircon is in use in the summer...when the temp outside will drop below the 60F the aircon will not start up only the fans /filter /"disinfect" part of the system will work.
Are there any variables (ie. season, size of birds etc.)
in the first days u of placement u need high humidity so that the chicks don't loose to much "water" from their body and u need high temp (91/87F) no need to cool them then and need only little fresh air.
When they get bigger they get more feathers , the feathers' block/insulate the cooling from the birds so their body temp can easily go up fast.
cooling/drying of the litter is nearly the same important as cooling the chicken , broiler chicken cool/heat them self lots thru the breast meat and how warmer they get how less they will move resulting in heat build up under the chicken and in the chicken.
What percent humidity (range) was it roughly at before Randy’s system?
outside humidity became the inside humidity + a % from water lines/manure/ breathing of the chicken
Does Randy’s system affect levels of ammonia and carbon dioxide in your barns and if yes, by how much would you say? Do you track carbon dioxide and ammonia levels?
there is no good system that will work for a long time in a chicken barn to measure the ammonia/co2 lvl's , it will breakdown because of the harsh environment.
but its how drier the litter ,by getting the humidity out ot the air ur drying the litter , how less ammonia will be created and how less the manure will heat up from chemical reactions .
co2 will probably be the same but will be less in some barns by the better mixing of the air/ better air delivery over the whole floor
All farmers are going to want to do a cost analysis. Do you have a way of determining how long it will take you before this investment will pay off. Could we do a bit of a cost analysis? (Cost of system, cost of operating system, loss of birds, larger bird profit…) I know this one is hard and has so many variables, but if we could give a hypothetical idea it would help I think.
7000 ft2 x 3 kg = 21000 kg (6 units/top floor Barn2)
all the birds could die when its extreme hot/humid.(and there is more risk on heat waves every year , global warming ! )
that's a 21000 kg life weight at risk x +-$1.55 /kg = $ 32550
and that has to be carried out of the barn (more work/not fun!! = more wages)
if u don't have this system u have to stop feeding the chicken at hot days u loose growth from not feeding them likely for (1/2) days in a row (heat wave) (the digestion of feed creates lots of heat in the birds)
also when they r off feed the speed they grow is reduced for the rest of the growing time of the crop.
u will need more chicken and more expensive feed to get the same amount of kg's live weight.
also...when u can keep the chicken cooler when they are getting bigger they tend to grow faster with the same amount of feed (less stress of cooling down means more energy etc from the feed will be put towards growing of the muscles , so more weight gain !)
most people think that air-conditioning cost a lot of hydro , but they tend to forget that the old fans used to refresh the air and cool the birds in a heat wave have to run 24/7.
that hydro is not cheap and ur only get the same air temp in the barn as that its outside including the humidity.
this aircon system fits nearly in every barn, new or old, and u don't even have to remove ur old fans or inlets.
this system will remove a big part of the humidity when the aircon part is used and will probably use the same amount of hydro or very close as the old system.
if u have old fans that needs replacement or they r under capacity , this new system could be the better way to go.
because this new system will filter the air and kill (99.9%?) of any bact/virus in the air before! it gets in the barn there is a big upgrade in ur biosecurity.
dust from the field that are worked up and that could have been contaminated by the droppings of birds with different diseases like avian flu, will have a very hard time to get in the barn and reach ur chicken
also If the avian flu will get in to ur birds , all the chicken on the farm and in a radius of 10 km have to be destroyed/culled and the barns will be out of production for months to come , resulting in big loss revenue .
(2015 in Canada)
Prior to using Randy’s system, did you reduce stock/number of birds in hot months to combat heat problems?
yes I did....did also some thinning out in the summer when I was over the 3.1 kg/ft2
With Randy’s system would chicken farmers be able to maintain maximum numbers of birds year round and not ever need to reduce numbers of birds in the summer months?
thinning out of a barn is less necessary and can keep up the number of birds more on the desired amounts
What are the temperatures you keep the barn at for the various size birds you have ?
these depends greatly on what the farmer wants and with out this system on the out side temp.
but when they get over the 25 days old the risk increases every day.
at 28 days +- 78F
at 30 days +- 70F
at 40 days +- 65F
the formula that they say the chicken will start to die is like this : temp F + Humidity % = > then 170
like if the temp would be 80F and the humidity is 100%.= 180..
what happens is , the chicken cant cool them self enough and begin to heat up inside until they die.
Is Randy’s system only focusing on upper floor? Is the bottom floor having anything done to it?
(yes...no)
because we where testing this system /prototype we only did do the top floor,but its should be done on all floors as risk management ,growth "promoter" in the heat, making it possible to full/max use of the floor space @ 3.53kg/ft2 ,with out this system its risky to go higher then 2.85kg/ft2
What are the most common diseases chicken farmers are dealing with in Ontario at present?
at risk to get avian flu every day.
outbreak of avian flu will close the borders to many countries , loss of export.
different bact that live in humid environments/litter.
like "hockey stick legs" etc
What others are currently doing:
Bring outside air in and move it around the building may have filter system but they are not conditioning the air
air has moisture in it if not conditioned.
others are adding humidity to the air with water by spraying the birds
"For those with very large flocks, I recommend the use of a fogger. You can mist the entire coop and the birds with clear water for a very effective cooling effect. If you have Oxine at home, you can kill two birds with one stone (I know, cruel saying for bird owners), and eliminate all molds, bacteria, and viruses at the same time. Large commercial growers use misters in the poultry houses to keep the birds cool - similar to fogging."
"Contributing causes to fungal infections in poultry may include:
- Moldy food (especially processed poultry feeds or corn)
- Spores in air or on surfaces
- Wet weather, high humidity & heat
- Bedding materials that mold especially easily, such as some kinds of hay
- Flooring or bedding that was damp long enough to foster mold
- Even after the bedding dries out, dangerous spores (mold "seeds") can remain
- Inadequate sanitation
- Direct contact with fungus on another infected bird
- Weak immune system (esp. in young or aged birds)
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69373/pb10543-heat-stress-050330.pdfShould birds be thinned in anticipation of hot weather? Thinning is a common practice for optimising market weights and stocking rates, but in itself poses questions about placing additional stress on the birds that remain. Reducing stocking rate prior to hot weather will reduce heat produced in a house, improve air movement around the birds and allow remaining birds time to recover. However, the stress of thinning in very hot weather, as in any form of intervention, can increase the likelihood of heat stress.
How do birds respond to increasing temperature? Birds will try to re-establish their heat balance with the surrounding by changing their normal behaviour. Birds may: ● Try to move away from other birds. ● Move against cooler surfaces, such as the block walls or into moving air streams. ● Lift their wings away from their bodies to reduce insulation and expose any areas of skin that have no feathers. ● Elect to pant slowly. ● Rest to reduce heat generated by activity. ● Reduce feed intake. ● Increase water consumption. ● Divert blood from internal organs to the skin, which darkens skin colour. ● Begin fast panting.
What are the consequences of panting? ● Heat is lost as moisture is evaporated from airways in the birds. ● Panting requires muscle activity, requiring energy use that generates some additional heat. The heat lost by evaporation must be greater than the additional heat generated by panting. ● Slow panting is a normal activity and can be sustained for extended periods of time. ● Respiration rate can increase by as much as 10 times the resting rate. Heavy panting can tire birds, reducing their ability to cope with extended periods of hot weather. ● High relative humidity reduces the effectiveness of evaporative heat loss. ● Increased respiration rate results in loss of carbon dioxide and a rise in blood plasma pH (called respiratory alkalosis). Blood potassium and phosphates are depleted, sodium and chloride levels increase. ● Growth rate or egg production will reduce.
What are the key features of housing that protect birds from hot weather? The key features are: ● Insulation ● House design and location ● Ventilation
The house and ventilation system must compliment each other to achieve maximum benefit. The result might be a house designed for combined conventional / tunnel ventilation, or being narrower for improved efficiency of air flow, or incorporating some form of air conditioning
What are the advantages of evaporative cooling? The advantages are: ● The ability to maintain house air temperatures in the bird’s ‘thermoneutral zone’ for extended periods during normal spells of hot weather. ● That panting frequency is reduced or prevented. ● That large changes in temperature can be avoided. ● That windchill from air movement over birds is more effective. ● That high ventilation rates can sometimes be reduced. ● That feed consumption and liveweight gain can be maintained.
Does reducing feed intake or feed removal help in heat stress relief? Birds in hot environments reduce feed consumption naturally, reducing heat from metabolism. Feed conversion efficiency and growth rate is also reduced. Techniques that increase activity or stimulate food consumption may be counterproductive. Feed removal prior to the hottest part of the day has been shown to be beneficial in reducing mortality. The advantages are reduced metabolic heat output, and where feeds systems can be lifted, increased floor space and improved air distribution over the floor. Problems can occur, however, on the reintroduction of food – the stimulus to eat again may result in a surge of activity. If the birds have not fully recovered from heat stress during the day, the sudden activity can prove fatal. There is an argument to leave the feed available for broilers, since they do not habitually store food in the crop, and are better able to restrict their own food intake.
How important is communication and contingency planning?
https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_manuals/hot_weather_management.html
Table 1. Heat Stress and Ambient Temperature
55o to 75oF
Thermal neutral zone. The temperature range in which the bird does not need to alter its basic metabolic rate or behavior to maintain its body temperature.
65o to 75oF
Ideal temperature range.
75o to 85oF
A slight reduction in feed consumption can be expected, but if nutrient intake is adequate, production efficiency is good. Egg size may be reduced and shell quality may suffer as temperatures reach the top of this range.
85o to 90oF
Feed consumption falls further. Weight gains are lower. Egg size and shell quality deteriorate. Egg production usually suffers. Cooling procedures should be started before this temperature range is reached.
90o to 95oF
Feed consumption continues to drop. There is some danger of heat prostration among layers, especially the heavier birds and those in full production. At these temperatures, cooling procedures must be carried out.
95o to 100oF
Heat prostration is probable. Emergency measures may be needed. Egg production and feed consumption are severely reduced. Water consumption is very high.
Over 100oF
Emergency measures are needed to cool birds. Survival is the concern at these temperatures.
http://www.aces.edu/poultryventilation/documents/Nwsltr-40AvoidingWetFloors.pdf
The bottom line
Remember we are in the chicken business to produce the maximum number of pounds of meat on the smallest number of pounds of feed possible. We are looking for the maximum meat production with minimum input from feed and fuel. The best environment for the bird will be a dry uniform house environment from end to end and side to side.
summer stress management in poultry, heat stress management, heat stress management solving the problem
http://www.academia.edu/4119674/SUMMER_STRESS_MANAGEMENT_IN_POULTRY
as the birds lack sweat glands, control excess body heat in four ways. Heat will radiate from the birds warmer body to another object like another bird, without the use of medium. Transfer of heat by conduction from a warm surface to cooler surface. So that heat stressed birds will try tocool their bodies by touching water pipes or digging into litter to come into contact with coolfloor. However, litter under the birds as soon as close to that of the body temperature. Body heatis also lost to the surrounding air by convection is the most effective way to reduce the heatstress (i.e., proper ventilation). These three radiation, conduction, convection heat losses areusually adequate to maintain the birds body temperature, when the environmental temperaturesare between 28°c and 35°c.When the environmental temperature coincides with the body temperature of the bird (i.e.41°c),the efficiency of these above three heat loss mechanism diminish. In that situation, the cooling process is by rapid respiration through open mouth breathing (panting). During the process, thewings are relaxed and hang loosely on sides. Reduced feed and increase water intake drop in egg production, poor shell life and quality and some birds may die. Respiration rate can increase asmuch as 10 times resting rate as a result excess carbondioxide is exhaled which causes the bloodto become more alkaline. So that alkalinity of the blood reduces the capability of carryingcalcium resulting losses of shell quality as well as reduced bone strength of susceptible birds.
http://www.nutrecocanada.com/docs/shur-gain---poultry/managing-heat-stress-in-poultry.pdf - go to this site lots of important info too much to copy over to here
http://www.poultrytechnology.com/home/37-practical-tips-for-summer-management-dr-sk-khanna.html
Why Summer management?
Birds can tolerate winter very well but due to absence of sweat glands and high body temperature (107o F) can not sustain more than 38oC.
Mechanical ways to mitigate losses:
How Effective?
- Use of foggers- Generally foggers reduce temperature of shed up to 5-10oC depending upon quality. They help in improving the production up to 38oC in sheds due to regular use of for more than 10 hours also increases humidity. Sometimes practically it is observed that mortality with foggers is more as compared to unprotected birds at high temperature.
- Use of Paint- Use of paint, white lime etc. practically reduce shed temperature up to 2oC show some results but at high temperature(more than 38o C) their role seems to be insignificant.
- Use of Side Curtains (Tat)-It appears to be better but if properly operated by sprinkling water. It can reduce temp up to 2-3oC. But in most parts of country there is set patterns of using 6ft curtains which do not prove effective. Such curtains may be installed 10 ft.
- Role of Tunnel Ventilation-Providing 3 exhaust fans on one side and pad cooling on other side (200 ft.) with complete sealing of sheds sides will bring down the temperature below 8oC and is quite effective and recommended in present scenario. However, it requires meticulous management one has to monitor proper sealing and humidity in sheds. Any lapse with management.
- Role of sprinklers on the top or inside shed-Quite a few number of farmers in north are following either practices. If used on top and inside shed prove very useful but require high level of management as continuous use may cause wet litter and caking in feed which may invite mycotoxins.
http://www.nutrecocanada.com/docs/sg---ont---aag-poultry/winter-2013-poultry-aag-shur-gain-ontario.pdf - go to article lots of info too much to copy here
http://www.uoguelph.ca/omafra_partnership/research/en/themespriorities/resources/ARP_Poultry_hires_compressed.pdf university of guelph research go to link