t is important for growers to remember a few tips when it comes to facility maintenance and their bottom line.
J.L. Flint, who manages the Reliable Poultry Supply store in Springdale, Ark., suggested to growers ways to save in production costs.
While each integrator has its own policies for helping growers increase their profits, Flint said some tips can be as easy as keeping fan blades and light bulbs clean and the fan belts tight.
“As competitive as poultry growing is, it can be the everyday maintenance that makes the difference,” he said.
Joe Gay, who manages the Latco stores in Springdale and Lincoln, Ark., agrees with Flint. He said some producers neglect the simple things and it shows in their profitability. Flint also said his company works with growers to enhance air movement in their houses, which can lead to lower energy costs and better ventilation.
“The goal is to keep fresh air in but also keep the temperature regulated to produce quality birds,” he said.
Gay said his company offers a spray sealant used to “tighten” a house.
“Tightening a house means eliminating any cracks in the exterior of a structure. Since growers are pulling out the old air and replacing it with air from a more controlled source like a cooling cell, it is necessary to keep all other air sources blocked.”
“A properly ventilated house will enhance your ability to save money,” he said.
Michael Kidd, head of the University of Arkansas poultry science department, said energy saving goals in commercial poultry houses are critical in both winter and summer seasons.
“Equipping the house to decrease fuel costs and determining house tightness are important in winter, but maintaining a tight house carries over into summer months so ventilation operates as intended,” he said.
House tightness (static or negative pressure) is basically the measurement of air pressure pulling water through a column in inches. If the water moving through a column is pulled 0.1 inches, then the house static pressure is 0.1. Kidd said although it is now measured much easier with an electronic static pressure meter (manometer), the concept is important.
Measuring static pressure
• Prepare the house for placement in terms of shutting doors and closing up curtains, inlets and fans.
• Turn on one 48-inch fan or two 36-inch fans.
• One 48-inch fan pulls around 0.15. If static pressure drops below 0.15, start looking for leaks throughout the house in the sidewall curtains, sidewalls, endwalls, end doors, ceilings, tunnel inlets, “cool cells”, tunnel fans, sidewall fans and vent boards.
• All holes should be sealed. If the house is curtain sided, make sure there is a top flap pocket (typically 15 to 18 inches) with a 10-inch overlap.
• Also, a bottom flap is recommended and usually a 1- by 4-inch board will work. Small slits of opening in curtains turn out to be large holes when they span the length of a house.
“Static pressure is the key for house tightness,” he said. “Tight houses in the winter minimize fuel costs, and in the summer they optimize ventilation, which decreases electrical use.”
Kidd also warns about the challenges growers will face as temperatures begin to rise.
“Growers should avoid letting the temperature swing too high or too low, and maintaining a tight house will help keep the environment in the house stable,” Kidd said.
