Tunnel ventilation poultry house designs are the most efficient in terms of both energy and cost savings when compared to other traditional ventilation systems. By using fans and exhaust points placed along the length of the house, the air is forced out through the tunnel walls, creating an artificial breeze and reducing the build-up of heat. This technique can create a more controlled environment, resulting in improved bird health and wellbeing, as well as improved bird growth and productivity. Tunnel ventilation systems are the preferred choice for broiler and breeder production, due to their simple design and efficient operation. It is important to understand the basic design principles when setting up a tunnel-ventilated poultry house. These include adequate space between the house walls and the exhaust points, sufficient fan capacity to ensure good air circulation throughout the house, and proper air duct design and placement. Additionally, it is important to consider the direction of the air flow and the number of air inlets, as these can dramatically affect the ventilation efficiency of the poultry house.Tunnel Ventilated Poultry House Design Basics
When tunnel-ventilated poultry houses are inadequately designed, they can cause excessive litter loss. This can be due to the presence of air drafts that carry away the litter, air too fast or turbulent for the birds to remain comfortable, or poor air distribution that results in inadequate heating or cooling. If the air drafts are too strong, they can create a sand-blasting effect, which can damage the birds and reduce their productivity. To address litter loss, it is important to ensure adequate air distribution throughout the poultry house with the fans and the exhausts. In addition, the litter should be at least 7.6cm (3 inches) thick and should be turned frequently, to ensure adequate air circulation throughout the poultry house. The installation of vents and shutters can also help to reduce air leakage, increasing ventilation efficiency and reducing litter loss. When installing vents and shutters, it is important to ensure that they are properly sealed, to maintain optimum air flow in the poultry house.Litter Loss in Tunnel Ventilated Houses
It is possible to retrofit a tunnel ventilation system to existing poultry houses, to maximize the efficiency of the poultry production. When retrofitting, it is important to consider the existing structure of the house, as well as any modifications that may be necessary to accommodate the new system. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the tunnel system is properly sealed and insulated, to ensure adequate air circulation and reduce energy loss. Finally, the fans must be properly sized and placed, to ensure good air distribution throughout the house. When retrofitting a tunnel ventilation system, it is also important to install curtains and side wall inlets, to prevent warm air from entering the poultry houses. The curtains should be placed at the corners and made of a durable, water-resistant material, to ensure that they are able to withstand the harsh environmental conditions. Additionally, side wall inlets should be installed, to ensure proper air circulation and to reduce energy loss from the house.Retrofitting a Litter Tunnel Ventilation System to Existing Poultry Houses
When designing a tunnel-ventilated poultry house, it is important to consider several design criteria, in order to achieve an efficient and energy-saving system. The layout and design of the house should be such that it allows for adequate air flow and encourages the birds to remain comfortable in their environment. Additionally, the fans should be properly sized and placed, and the exhaust points should be appropriately placed along the length of the house. The relative humidity and temperature of the poultry house should also be taken into consideration when designing the ventilation system. It is important that the humidity is not too high, as this can lead to an increased risk of disease and poor production. On the other hand, an excessively low humidity can cause unfavorable conditions and limit the birds' growth and productivity.Design Considerations for Tunnel Ventilated Poultry Houses
Tunnel ventilation systems are the preferred type of ventilation system for both broilers and breeders. This type of system is more energy efficient and cost effective, as the air is forced out through the tunnel walls rather than being discharged through the roof. Additionally, the artificially created breeze helps to reduce the build-up of heat within the poultry house, increasing bird health and wellbeing. When designing a tunnel-ventilated poultry house for broilers and breeders, it is important to consider the size and number of birds in the house. Additionally, the type of heating and cooling systems installed should be taken into consideration, as they will affect the efficiency of the house. Finally, it is important to ensure that the ventilation system is properly sealed to prevent air leakage, and that the fans are sized and placed properly to ensure adequate air circulation.Tunnel Ventilation for Broilers and Breeders
For those with existing tunnel ventilation systems, there are several steps that can be taken to improve the efficiency of the system. First, the fans should be sized and positioned correctly, and the exhaust points should be placed evenly along the length of the house. Additionally, vents and shutters should be installed at the corners of the house, to prevent warm air from entering. Finally, curtains can be installed to reduce air leakage, ensuring that the air is circulated properly throughout the poultry house. It is also important to ensure that the tunnel ventilation system is sealed properly. Inadequate sealing can lead to excessive air leakage, which can cause an increase in energy costs and an increase in the amount of dust and odors in the poultry house. Additionally, proper sealing can help to reduce the chances of disease and improve the ventilation efficiency of the system.Simple Steps to Improve Existing Tunnel Ventilation System
When selecting fans for a tunnel-ventilated poultry house, it is important to consider the following guidelines. The fans should be of the correct size, capable of generating the required air flow for the house, and should be located in such a way that they are able to evenly distribute the air throughout the house. Additionally, the fan blades should be balanced to reduce vibration and noise, and should be designed to minimize energy consumption. It is also important to select fans that are designed to operate at low temperatures, to prevent heat build-up in the poultry house. Finally, a fan controller should be installed to ensure that the fans are operated at their optimum speed and are able to adjust to changing environmental conditions. This will enable the fan to operate efficiently and reduce energy consumption, while ensuring that the birds remain comfortable in the poultry house.Ventilation Guidelines for Fans Serving Tunnel Ventilated Poultry Houses
It is important to control the temperature and humidity levels within poultry houses, in order to ensure optimal bird health and productivity. The optimum temperature and humidity levels will vary depending on the breed and type of birds, as well as the outside temperature and humidity. The type of lighting also has a significant influence on these conditions, as it is the primary source of heat within the poultry house. In addition, air quality is an important consideration when designing poultry houses. Inadequate air quality, due to high levels of dust or odors, can have a negative impact on the birds' health and productivity. Proper ventilation is essential for maintaining good air quality within the house; however, it is also important to ensure that the ventilation system is well-sealed in order to reduce air leakage. Additionally, exhaust points should be placed at regular intervals along the length of the house, to ensure proper air circulation.Controlled Environment Poultry House Design
For those who wish to have a greater degree of control over the temperature and humidity levels within their poultry house, an electric controlled environment system can be installed. These systems use electric fans, evaporative coolers, and dehumidifiers to maintain the desired temperature and humidity levels within the poultry house. Additionally, they have remote control features, allowing the user to easily adjust the settings from outside the house. By having an electric controlled environment system, the poultry house can be maintained at its optimum conditions, resulting in improved bird health and productivity. It is important to note that electric controlled environment systems are an energy-intensive way of managing the conditions within the poultry house. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the system is installed correctly and is properly maintained, to reduce energy consumption and optimize efficiency.Electric Controlled Environment Systems in Poultry House Design
The installation of curtain sidewall inlets is a common technique used for controlling air flow within poultry houses. These inlets are installed at regular intervals along the length of the house, and allow heated air to escape from the roof when necessary. The curtains should be made of a durable, waterproof material and should be designed to prevent air leakage from outside the house. Curtain sidewall inlets can be used in conjunction with other ventilation systems, such as tunnel ventilation or natural ventilation. Additionally, they can be combined with electric controlled environment systems, to improve the efficiency of the ventilation and reduce energy consumption. The use of these inlets can improve the air quality within the poultry house, reducing the amount of dust and odors present.Installation of Curtain Sidewall Inlets for Poultry House Design
For those looking for a more energy-efficient way of controlling the environment within a poultry house, natural ventilation systems can be an effective solution. These systems use natural air flows, such as wind, convection, and differential pressure, to move air around the house. The type of natural ventilation system used will depend on the type of house and the ventilation requirements needed. Natural ventilation systems can help to reduce energy consumption, as they do not require electricity to operate. Additionally, they can provide improved air quality, as the air is not recycled, reducing the amount of dust and odors present in the poultry house. However, it is important to ensure that the system is properly sealed, to prevent air leakage and reduce energy loss.Natural Ventilation Systems for Poultry House Designs