Poultry barns are necessary to heat, especially for the development and weight gain of broiler chickens which are raised specifically for the food industry. The heat is adjusted according to how the chickens grow, and typically starts out warmer for newly hatched chickens and gradually decreases over a period of 5 weeks. Throughout this process until the chickens are ready to enter the market, the barn temperature needs to be maintained properly. This is also important since a chicken’s appetite is associated to the temperature. Chickens tend not to eat if it is too cold or too hot, but with a consistent evenly distributed temperature, it stimulates their appetite and activity which is essential for their development.
Using an in floor hydronic heating system has many benefits. Even heat distribution, consistently warms the barn closer to the ground where the chickens are. Hydronic heat also has no energy loss through ducts or irregular air flow, which in turn is more energy efficient and economical to operate. Hydronic systems can be used with a variety of boilers including wood, oil, natural gas or solar heaters. In floor heat can also reduce the amount of poultry bedding needed on the interior floors of the barn. Although hydronic systems can have a greater cost of construction, they are a good investment for farmers wanting to save on operating/heating costs as well as long term total cost of ownership, and in turn provide a better quality, healthier chicken with lower CO and humidity levels!
To view Amvic’s recent Poultry barn featuring the Ampex insulated Pex panel, Click Here!