Environmental control of poultry buildings for minimum energy input

A computer model was developed to simulate some of the environmental factors in poultry laying buildings. The geometric shape and building orientation were also included in this study.

Data were collected from three existing buildings and compared with the results of the computer model.

The main purpose of this research was to analyse the effect of the environmental and geometrical factors on energy consumption. The temperature inside the building was the main factor and was considered the response variable in the analysis of the energy consumption.

It was found that: (1) proper insulation and ventilation would help conserve the heat produced by birds and higher inside temperatures could be maintained, (2) no artificial heating during winter would be needed in regions where the outdoor monthly average temperature was above zero °C if a bird density of 0.03 to 0.06 m²/bird was used, (3) the best orientation was the east-west direction of the major axis with roof facing south, and (4) reducing the roof slope would help maintain slightly higher inside temperatures during winter and lower inside temperatures during summer.