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Grow Your Way
Beat the heat
Drives and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) keep your poultry thriving
Poultry producers: Are you concerned about heat stress impacting your flock's health and productivity? Temperatures exceeding 28°C (82.4 °F), combined with high humidity, can create dangerous situations, leading to:
- Decreased activity and production: Egg production can drop by 20% - 30%, and meat growth can slow significantly.
- Health problems: Dehydration, exhaustion, and respiratory issues can occur, with mortality rates rising under severe conditions.
- Reduced efficiency: Water intake increases while feed intake decreases, leading to poorer feed conversion and higher costs.
- Weakened immune system: This makes birds more susceptible to diseases.
But fear not! By utilizing advanced ventilation systems controlled by reliable drives and PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), you can create a comfortable environment for your birds, promoting optimal health and productivity.
Understanding heat stress
- The combination of temperature and relative humidity is crucial. While a cool, dry environment is ideal, situations can vary:
- Low outside temperatures: When outside air is cooler than the barn, the ventilation system can simply bring in fresh air to reduce heat and humidity.
- High outside temperatures: During hot seasons, outside air might not be cool enough. Here's where technology comes in.
Addressing heat stress through technology
- Increase air velocity: Fans can create a wind chill effect, simulating a cooler environment for the birds. Rule of thumb: maximum air velocity is 3.5 m/s (8 mph).
- Adiabatic cooling: This method uses evaporative cooling pads to lower incoming air temperature. However, it only works in low humidity conditions as increased humidity can worsen heat stress and the cooling effect is limited.
- Preconditioning of incoming air: This system utilizes heat pumps, groundwater, or indirect adiabatic cooling to pre-cool incoming air before entering the barn. This can also be used for preheating the air in cold periods.
So, what is the role of drives and PLCs?
- Agri-drives for customized climate control: Drives precisely adjust fan speed and pump operation based on real-time temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. This ensures optimal comfort for your birds, regardless of the chosen cooling method (tunnel ventilation, adiabatic cooling, preconditioning). Think of ➞ ACS580 from our portfolio.
- PLCs for energy efficiency: ➞ PLCs optimize system operation by automatically adjusting settings to maintain ideal conditions while minimizing energy consumption. This means lower operational costs for you.
- Bringing it all together: Drives are built to last, ensuring your system runs smoothly even during extreme heat. PLCs constantly monitor and adjust to prevent malfunctions and potential disasters.
Choosing the right system
The best solution depends on your location and climate. Working with a trusted supplier can help you choose the most effective and cost-efficient system for your specific needs. Invest in your flock's future: By implementing a modern ventilation system controlled by drives and PLCs, you can protect your birds from heat stress, optimize production, and ensure peace of mind during even the hottest summers. Remember, a healthy flock is a profitable flock!
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