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An optimal microclimate in the house, suitable for the species and age of the birds, is one of the most important factors for successful and profitable rearing. It is important to provide a systematic supply of fresh air, optimize humidity and temperature levels, and remove harmful gases and dust at all times of the year. Without a complexly automated ventilation system in the poultry house inhabitants get sick, which reduces the productivity of livestock and the income of owners.
Basic principles of ventilation in the poultry house
Maintaining the correct microclimate in the house is a key factor for bird productivity. Temperature, humidity and air exchange directly affect their well-being, welfare and, as a result, fertility. It is important to create an optimal microclimate in poultry houses in order to prevent the stock from suffering from:
- Body stress.
- Slow growth.
- Low egg production.
- Weakened immunity.
- Respiratory diseases.
- Manifestation of infections.
- Mortality.
Inappropriate microclimate in the poultry house is ultimately fraught with financial losses of the owners. They may be associated with the cost of treatment of birds, loss of income due to their low fertility, recovery of the stock. Proper temperature and humidity conditions and ventilation in the house contribute to normal metabolism and improve egg production or weight gain.
Under comfortable conditions, healthy birds have a healthy reproductive system. Timely ventilation of the house, while normalizing the temperature, is important during the oviposition period. This increases the activity of ovaries and normalizes the oviposition process.
Pollution factors have a significant impact on the composition and quality of air in the places where birds are kept. Microclimate in the poultry house is naturally formed by gases - carbon dioxide due to respiration, ammonia from manure, toxins from pesticides and drugs in the feed, as well as microparticles and dust from manure, feed, hay. Normalization of gas composition of air eliminates manifestations of stress, decrease of immunity and, as a consequence, prevents delay in laying and interruptions in its implementation by birds.
Restoration of natural oxygen concentration through ventilation in the house prevents hypoxia, which disturbs metabolism. This can impair egg quality, slowing and stopping reproductive processes. Normal metabolism reduces toxic stress caused by excessive drugs in feed. Regular cleaning and proper waste management is important and helps reduce ammonia and dust in the air.
Types of ventilation systems for poultry houses
Natural ventilation in poultry houses can give good seasonal results when there are enough windows and hoods in the structure. They can be used to optimize all microclimate indicators in the poultry house. Its effectiveness is limited to warm periods of the year. The arrival of cold and heat is disastrous for birds, as it causes them to overcool and overheat, which has negative consequences for the owners.
Another more practical option is to install a forced ventilation system in the house, consisting of fans, hoods and air recirculators. It largely solves the problem of constant maintenance of correct temperature-humidity background and normalization of gas composition in the room. During the operation of such systems, which may additionally include temperature and humidity controllers, it is important to perform regular quality maintenance of the components.
Mechanical ventilation systems with filtration provide the best results and increased efficiency. Strengthening the equipment set with filtering elements guarantees protection of birds from ammonia and excessive carbon dioxide. Such ventilation complexes necessarily include precise sensors and microcontrollers. Based on signals from them, the correction of the operation parameters of fans and other important components of smart ventilation in the poultry house is continuously carried out.
How to maintain optimal humidity and temperature levels
Maintaining optimum humidity levels in the house is important for the health and productivity of the birds. Keeping birds at humidity levels above 70% can lead to a number of diseases such as fungal infections, feathers and skin deterioration.
Therefore, it is necessary to systematically take measures to bring the humidity to the normative one, so that there would be no negative impact on the reproductive function of birds. Recommended values of humidity at ventilation in the poultry house differ for different categories of birds, namely for:
- laying hens - 50-70%;
- broilers - 55-70%;
- chicks - 60-70%.
Too high humidity promotes the development of microbes, viruses and fungi in the body, which can lead to infectious and other poultry diseases. Excessively humid microclimate in the house forms condensation on walls and ceilings, helps fungus growth, and can impair food and water quality. As a result, the quality of eggs can suffer - a decrease in shell strength.
In order to keep poultry successfully and profitably, it is important to take into account that the optimal microclimate temperature in the poultry house for different ages is different. For example, young birds are sensitive to cold, while adults are more adaptable to a wider temperature range. Therefore, in terms of temperature, the microclimate in the houses as the birds mature changes as follows:
- chicks up to 7 days - 32-35°;
- young birds 8-21 days old - 28-32°;
- birds 3-6 weeks old - 18-22°;
- laying hens - 18-20°.
It is important to observe the behavior of birds. If they accumulate in one place, it means they are cold, and if they scatter around the house, probably, the microclimate in the house is comfortable for most of them. Keeping poultry in optimal conditions ensures comprehensive health of the flock, including stable weight gain and productive egg production.
Installation of an automated ventilation system in the house maintains an optimal microclimate for poultry in terms of temperature and humidity, concentration of dust and harmful gases in the air. The presence of inlet and exhaust fans, recirculators, filters, coolers and heaters is not enough. They must be controlled by a microprocessor that continuously receives data from accurate sensors that determine all climate parameters. Only such an energy-efficient ventilation system can optimize overhead costs and increase income for the poultry owner.
05/02/2025
