Reduce Energy Costs in Poultry Houses

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Rapid increases in the cost of fuel have forced broiler producers to reassess their energy conservation practices. Most of the energy used in poultry production is for brooding. Adverse weather conditions can favor survival needs before productivity. Growth rate declines, while feed consumption rises. Respiratory disease problems are more prevalent because of reduced air quality. Utility costs increase, even while the grower tries to maintain comfortable house conditions. The following management tips suggest points to consider when evaluating energy programs. These tips can help producers lower energy usage and costs.

Insulate Houses

Keep the poultry house and equipment in a good state of repair and make changes, if necessary, to prevent excessive heat losses. Insulate poultry houses to provide a minimum thermal resistance (R-value) of R-12 in the ceiling and R-8 in exposed walls. Replace or repair insulation damaged or destroyed by birds, rodents, and insects.

Install/Maintain Vapor Barriers

The R-value of most insulation materials decreases drastically when moistened. Installing a vapor barrier on the insulation's warm side protects against moisture saturation. Seal tears and damage to exposed vapor barriers.

Stop Air Leaks

Eliminate drafts by sealing air leaks and wall cracks. Uncaulked sill plates are the most common source of uncontrolled air entry. Seal cracks with expanding polyurethane foam. A 1/8-inch crack along both sides of a 500-foot house is equivalent to 10 square feet of open wall or a 2-foot section of sidewall left uncovered.

Seal Curtains

Repair all curtain holes and eliminate cracks between the curtains and house. Curtains must fit close to the wall and cover the entire sidewall opening. Seal bottoms of curtains with a tack-strip. Install pocket flaps over the tops and ends of the curtains to reduce uncontrolled air entry. Cracks around the curtains also hinder ventilation control.

Weather-Strip Openings

Thoroughly weather-strip all door openings against air entry when doors are closed.

Monitor Control Devices

Clean and check timers and thermostats for accuracy. If they cannot be adjusted or repaired, replace them. Usually, a thorough cleaning is all that is necessary to restore use of the devices.

Control Water Wastage

Reduce litter moisture by properly ventilating. Repair leaks in waterers and water lines. Leaking water systems require additional heat to evaporate spilled water. Check the pressure regulator and filters for cleanliness and proper adjustment.

Ventilate Properly

Adjust ventilation so it meets the needs of the birds and house conditions. There is no need to overventilate, but watch for any sign of stress that needs immediate attention. Excess litter moisture in the house requires valuable energy for moisture evaporation and removal.

Eliminate Temperature Layers

Uncirculated air separates into temperature layers, with the warmer air near the ceiling and cooler air near the floor. Higher ceilings allow greater temperature variation between floor and ceiling. Use mixing fans to circulate air and maintain a more uniform temperature at all levels. This mixing improves energy use by moving warm air to the birds' level.

Increase Ventilation Correctly

Increasing the ventilation rate is often necessary to control house and litter moisture. Do this only in the warmest periods of the day. Moisture evaporation increases dramatically as the house temperature increases.

Maintain Equipment

Clean fans and shutters frequently. After cleaning fans and shutters, lubricate the motor and pivot joints. Replace clean shutters that allow unwanted air entry. Cover and seal all unused fan openings with plastic sheeting or curtain material.

Replace Fans

When replacing poultry house fans, select the most efficient fans suited for your needs. Consider maintenance and service items, such as totally enclosed motors, direct drive fans, noise factors, motor overload protection, low motor starting current, and ease of maintaining/cleaning the blades and shutters. Always have a replacement fan motor available.

Brood Properly

Closely follow your company's recommended partial-house brooding program, especially during the first 3 weeks. Always brood the maximum number of chicks for the equipment being used.

Reduce Temperature Gradually

After establishing the appropriate starting temperature, reduce the temperature by 2 to 3 degrees every 3 to 4 days rather than making one 5 degree reduction weekly. Gradual reductions provide comfortable conditions without overbrooding and wasting energy.

Maintain Brooders

Adopt a good brooder maintenance program. A sooty brooder means that fuel is not being burned properly, resulting in wasted gas and excess carbon monoxide. Keep the burner openings clean. Use the proper size reaming needle to avoid altering the opening size and wasting fuel. Have spare thermocouples, valves, and other parts on hand for emergency repairs.

Adjust Heater Pilot Lights

Adjust the pilot lights to manufacturers' specifications. Shut off one-half of the brooder pilot lights when they are not needed. In cold weather, the lit brooders provide heat until unlit brooders can be reignited.

Test For Gas Leaks

Check each brooder for gas leaks before and during each brood of chicks. Prevent gas leaks by using special gas hoses recommended for brooders. Apply a solution of soap and water to all connections using a paint brush. Air bubbles indicate gas leakage. For safety, do not test for gas leaks with an open flame.

Maintain Proper Gas Line Pressure

Maintain a uniform gas line pressure as specified by equipment manufacturers or your gas company. Reduced gas line pressure causes burners to malfunction. Test the pressure at each burner only after all burners are burning. More than one size of gas line may be necessary to maintain the required pressure at all heaters. Fully open all valves when gas is in use.

Have Regulator Checked

Do not under any circumstances make adjustments to the regulator on the gas tanks. Ask your gas company to check the regulator.

Lower Light Intensity

In most poultry houses, more lights are used than are needed. Broilers perform well when only enough light is available for them to find feed and water. One-half footcandle of light is adequate in most cases. Reduce electrical consumption by using bulbs with lower wattage, by regularly using switches and dimmers to reduce light intensity, and by changing to a more efficient light source.

Increase Light Efficiency

Clean the light bulbs frequently and replace dim bulbs with more energy-efficient bulbs. Light reflectors on fixtures can double the amount of light that reaches the birds and can reduce lighting costs by one-half.

The importance of energy conservation cannot be overstressed. These energy-saving tips cannot be successful unless you keep accurate records of your energy consumption. Read your meters every month and record your electric, gas, gasoline, and diesel fuel use. If you have no meters, record the amount of fuel purchased; use bills as a reference. Compare your monthly fuel consumption records to determine the success of your energy conservation program.

By Tom W. Smith, Ph.D., Extension Poultry Specialist

Information Sheet 1617
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director

Copyright by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.

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