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Trends in US Poultry Housing for Energy

Conservation

John W. WorleyAssociate Professor

University of Georgia

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Co-authors

• Mr. Michael Czarick– Biological and Agricultural

Engineering– University of Georgia

• Dr. Brian Fairchild– Poultry Science– University of Georgia

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Overview

• Background• Energy Saving Technologies• Survey Results• Conclusions - Needs

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Growth in Broiler Production in Southeastern US

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• Reasons for regional growth– Low-cost land, labor, and housing– Synergy with cow-calf operations

– Restoration of depleted crop lands

• Low-cost housing meant:– Natural Ventilation– Cheap construction– Little or no insulation or powered

ventilation

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Evolution of birds and housing

• Improvements in genetics and nutrition

• Improvements in buildings

• Better buildings necessary for better bird performance

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Energy efficiency

• Has always been considered• Low historic energy prices• Recent changes• Energy now on “Front Burner”

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Objectives

• Quantify expected energy savings from eight technologies (per house)

• Determine present and projected adoption rate by industry (poll)

• Estimate potential energy savings attributable to these technologies (sample and industry-wide)

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Energy Saving Technologies

• Tunnel Ventilation– Allows greater bird densities and improves

bird performance– No energy savings recognized in this report

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Energy Saving Technologies

• Electronic Controllers– Tighter control of desired temperature– Improved bird environment and performance– No energy savings recognized in this report

HeatersExhaustFans

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Energy Saving Technologies - Gas

• House Tightness– Allows control of entering air (winter

conditions)– Curtain Flaps – one example of tightening– O.1” static pressure with one 48-inch fan– Projected 15% gas savings

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Energy Saving Technologies - Gas

• Solid Walls– Reduces leaks and conductive

heat flow– Savings depend on size of

opening and R-value of solid wall

– Can be solid wall on both sides or North side

– Projected 15% gas savings

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Energy Saving Technologies - Gas

• Circulation Fans– Reduces heat stratification– Increases bird comfort while

reducing gas consumption– Savings depend on type of

heat and management (10 to 30%)

– Projected 20% gas savings

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Energy Saving Technologies - Gas

• Litter Treatments– Reduce pH of litter– Reduces ammonia emissions – Reduces required ventilation during

brooding– Projected 20% gas savings

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Energy Saving Technologies - Gas

• Wider Houses– Reduces exposed wall area per bird– Usually thicker walls (increased R value) – 50 ft wide or wider– Projected 15% gas savings

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Energy Saving Technologies - Electricity

• High efficiency exhaust fans– Combination of efficient motors and housing– Cone exhaust is indicator of efficiency – Projected 15% savings based on EER

improvement from 19 to 22 (Typical range of 16 to 24 for poultry ventilation fans)

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Summary of Expected Savings

Technology Estimated % Savings

House Tightness 15% (gas)

Solid Walls 15% (gas)

Circulation Fans 20% (gas)

Litter Treatments 20% (gas)

Wider Houses 15% (gas)

Hi-Eff. Exhaust Fans 15% (electric)

Note: Gas savings are multiplicative, not additive

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Survey Results

• Sent survey to 20 complexes in GA, SC, and AL

• Received 11 replies (all from GA)• Replies represent 806 million broilers

per year – 64% of production in Georgia– 9.5% of total US production

• 6218 houses (projected 6418 by 2010)

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0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Adoption Rates of Energy Saving Technologies

Total

2010

2004

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0

10

20

30

40

Gas Saved (million gallons)

2004 Projected 2010 Total Potential

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0100200300400

High Eff.Fans

Electrical Energy Saved (million kWh)

2004 Projected 2010 Total Potential

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Conclusions• Energy savings is recognized by the

industry as important• Technologies have had varying

degrees of acceptance• The need for education and further

demonstration of technologies still exists

• Circulation fans, hi-eff. exhaust fans, and wider housing show the greatest potential for future savings